Spectrum Chats: Introduction to Autistic Culture
Join AutismTN for a Spectrum Chat: "Introduction to Autistic Culture." This panel discussion is part of the Exploring Autistic Life and Culture project, funded by HumanitiesTN.
Autistic culture is a culture that's based on the shared ways of "being," thinking, and communicating among Autistic people. It includes its own customs, norms, and values. The recognition of Autistic culture is a shift from historical medical/deficit-based models of autism toward an identity-based understanding of the Autistic community, aligning with the neurodiversity framework and promoting a more inclusive view of autism as a valid expression of human diversity. This panel will feature Autistic adults sharing their perspectives on Autistic culture, fostering a deeper understanding of this vibrant and evolving community. The event is open to the general public.
This program is funded in part by a grant from Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Panelists:
Carl Frizell is an autistic certified physician associate (PA) from Holmes County, MS, who excels in both clinical practice and research. As a passionate neurodiversity advocate, Carl leverages his personal experiences to offer innovative solutions to critical equity and inclusion challenges. His dedication is evident in his experiences as a Physician Assistant Educator and medical oncology PA, where he committed to delivering high-quality patient care and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. Outside of his professional life, Carl enjoys spending time with family and friends, immersing himself in anime, playing video games, and nurturing his collection of plants.
Meghan Gragg is an autistic self advocate, has their Masters in Public Policy, and is currently serving with Americorps at Catholic Charities as a Refugee Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator VISTA. In the near future, they plan to apply for the Fulbright in Morocco and then go on to get their PhD in Sociology in order to become a professor focusing on the Sociology of disability. In their free time they enjoy studying languages, watching 911 (on ABC) and shows from other countries, and reading fanfiction.
Rachel Hammons (she/her) is a therapist (LPC-MHSP) and late diagnosed autistic person living and working in Nashville, TN. She works with people ages 12 and up, specializing in ASD, ADHD, OCD, and some gender dysphoria. Originally from the Atlanta area, Rachel moved up to Chicago in 2017 to complete her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, meeting her husband there (also autistic) and graduating in 2019. She then moved down to Nashville where she has been ever since! Originally working in higher levels of care, Rachel started doing private practice work in 2020 and has loved it ever since. On a personal note, she has two dogs and three ferrets, loves the outdoors and indoor rock climbing, and will take any chance she gets to go for a hike or to paddle board!
Oluwatobi Odugunwa (they/them) is a multiply-disabled, autistic self advocate and Southern organizer. They came into their disabled and neurodivergent identities in college, and entered the advocacy world through disability justice. As a contractor with multiple jobs, their primary role is as the Director of Community Grant Program at The Autistic People of Color Fund. The APOC Fund is an organization committed to economic justice for autistic people of color that gives microgrants of $100-500 to autistic POC to use for crises as well as for general and leisurely purposes. Oluwatobi is involved with advocacy for LGBTQ, Black, and disabled people on the local, national, and international level, though they enjoy their mutual aid work with the APOC Fund and Trans Aid Nashville best. Oluwatobi loves to read, mostly fantasy romance novels, and play combat RPG videogames. Their ESA is a beloved, grumpy old man cat (who's truly a sweet baby) that needs 24/7 physical contact; Oluwatobi is only happy to oblige.
Stephen Polkowski is an adamantly, audacious, autistic self- and community-advocate who was late-life identified. Undiagnosed and without accommodations, he failed 11 classes and tenaciously fought through 10 years of school and autistic burnout to finally complete his undergraduate mechanical engineering degree. At the culmination of his master’s degree, he will have persevered through 8 years of graduate school to complete his master's degree in materials science and engineering. He is extremely passionate about learning, advocacy, leadership and creating environments conducive for individuals to succeed, and elucidating the allistic-confusing enigma that is the spectrum of autism. He enjoys complex problem solving, sports, physical fitness, and spending time in the great outdoors in the cooler months.
Moderator
Casey Davis is an Autistic advocate, educator, and memory worker. She was professionally identified as Autistic at age 33 during the midst of an Autistic burnout. Her diagnosis had a transformative impact on her life, leading her to redesign her life to better fit her neurotype. Now, as the Adult Program Director at Autism Tennessee, Casey oversees programs and community spaces for the Autistic adult community in Middle Tennessee, including serving as Facilitator for ASAN-Affiliate Autistic community groups: Connect, Unveiling Autistic Identity, and WENBY. Casey also leads the AutismTN's neuro-affirming EmployME program for Autistic jobseekers. Her work also involves grant writing and managing two current grant projects focused on enhancing Autistic inclusion in public libraries and expanding public understanding of Autistic life and culture. They are also an Adjunct Professor at Louisiana State University’s School of Information Studies. Casey is the founder of the Autistic Voices Oral History Project, an IMLS grant-funded initiative that preserves the personal stories of Autistic people through recorded interviews. While Casey is working professionally in pursuit of some of her Dedicated Interests, she also enjoys weightlifting (for the proprioceptive input), bicycling (for the repetitive movement), collecting embroidered patches, and spending time with her Safe Person and Life Partner Danny and two dogs Remy and Opie.
