EPISODE 34
Autistic Identity, Trauma, and the Importance of Mentoring – A Conversation with Dena Gassner
Autistic Identity, Trauma, and the Importance of Mentoring – A Conversation with Dena Gassner
Play the Episode…
…and Continue the Discussion
Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.
1) As a university instructor teaching an interdisciplinary class on transition to adulthood, Dena discusses the importance of autistic voices being an essential part of the learning for mostly neurotypical students. Identify and discuss at least three reasons this is essential. What have you learned from listening to the voices and experiences of autistic people?
2) Dena raises the issue of trauma experienced by autistic people, including both “big T’s and “little T’s”, and Barry chimes in as to how even some popular therapies may contribute to trauma. Have you observed or experienced traumatic experiences, and if so, give some examples. What have you or others done to prevent or lessen the impact of potentially traumatic events?
3) Barry notes that upon first meeting Dena 15 years ago, her quote that “One does not grow out of autism, one grows into autism” had a profound impact on his learning. Dena mentions that this message has evolved as there are now dramatic differences that she observes in her son, and in the experiences and perspectives of younger vs. older autistic people. What does this quote mean to you, and how does this message change your practices with your students or children (as parents or professionals), or your sense of self in your personal journey as an autistic person?
Featuring
DENA GASSNER
Dena is a PhD candidate at Adelphi University and an adjunct professor at Towson University. Her work includes an appointment to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) beginning in July, co-chair of the Autistic Researcher Committee for INSAR, and national board member for The Arc US. In 2020, the Autism Society of America awarded her the Cathy Pratt Professional of the Year award. She has many published articles, research pieces and book chapters to her credit. She’s spoken all around the world including the UN (Both) Russia and Cambridge. She seeks to live an authentic autistic life as a wife, mother, grandmother and autistic woman.
“I am Wackadoodle Woman on eBay! I have a secret re-selling hobby!”
“You don’t grow out of autism; you grow into it and I most certainly have. It’s been challenging, rich and rewarding.”
Show Notes
Dena Gassner is an autistic professional who is helping to create, shape and advance the agenda of autistic self-advocates, and indeed, society in general. As a researcher, author, social worker, university instructor, mother, grandmother and mentor, she brings a lifetime of experience in sharing her wisdom about autistic identity, generational differences between older and younger autistic people, and the importance of mentoring.
Resources:
“Interventions to Address Health Outcomes Among Autistic Adults: A Systematic Review.” (2020). Autism. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320913664
Benevides, T. W., Shore, S. M., Andresen, M. L., Caplan, R., Cook, B., Gassner, D. L., … & Murphy, L. E. (2020). Interventions to address health outcomes among autistic adults: A systematic review. Autism, 1362361320913664.
Benevides, T. W., Shore, S. M., Palmer, K., Duncan, P., Plank, A., Andresen, M. L., … & Morgan, L. (2020). Listening to the autistic voice: Mental health priorities to guide research and practice in autism from a stakeholder-driven project. Autism, 24(4), 822- 833.
“Listening to the autistic voice: Mental health priorities to guide research and practice in autism from a stakeholder-driven project” (2020). Autism. Open access: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1362361320908410.
Challenges and Opportunities for Assessing, Evaluating, and Researching Disability in Higher Education; Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability (JPED)
Bedard, R., & Hecker, L. eds. (2020). A Spectrum of Solutions for Clients with Autism: Treatment for Adolescents and Adults. Chapter 45: The Launching
Follow Dena on Social:
Center for Understanding on Facebook
Intagram: @DenaGassner