Presuming Competence and Interdependence. A Discussion with Gyasi Burks-Abbott

EPISODE 125
On Presuming Competence and Interdependence.
A Discussion with Gyasi Burks-Abbott

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Show Notes

Gyasi Burks-Abbott has a unique perspective as a late-diagnosed autistic man, who is African-American and raised by his mother in a white-dominated culture. Based on his experience and as professional in the LEND Program, and his personal experiences, he has unique insights into two current issues that currently are considered and even debated in discussions on best practices for supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals, which are the focus of this episode: presuming competence and interdependence.

LINKS OF INTEREST

Read the Article  “A Presumption of Competence: Empowering Disability Advocacy and Independent Living.”

Listen Episode 71 – “My Mother’s Apprentice”
Gyasi’s article in Autism in Adulthood Journal
My Mother’s Apprentice Book

Featuring

Gyasi Burks-Abbott

Gyasi Burks-Abbott

Gyasi Burks-Abbott is a writer, public speaker, and autism self-advocate. In addition to serving on the boards, committees, and commissions of several autism and disability organizations, Gyasi is a faculty member at Boston Children’s Hospital LEND Program that stands for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities. He graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, with a BA in English and psychology, and he has an MS in library and information science from Simmons University in Boston. Recently, Gyasi published a book about his life called My Mother’s Apprentice: An Autistic’s Rites of Passage. He lives in Bedford, MA.

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…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. How does Gyasi define “presuming competence” and how is his definition similar to, or different from those of others who have written and published on this issue? How is it similar or different from your concept and definition?
  2. How does Gyasi define “interdependence” as distinct from “independence”, and how is his definition similar to, or different from those of others who have written and published on this issue? How is it similar or different from your concept and definition?
  3. How do you believe differing perspectives on both presuming competence and interdependence have influenced practices that have affected you or your family members directly? What changes would you like to see in current practices based on these perspectives?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.