Our June Toolkit focuses on Pride Month, Autistic Pride Day, providing support resources, statistics, and information for inclusive summer activities; additionally, we’ll continue emphasizing COVID-19 education and general COVID-19 support. Our policy resources review President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, an action alert for National Training for Police and Mental Health Crisis Support bills, and details about schools reopening from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Pride Month

• View from the Spectrum – Kris Guin
• “As a gay autistic man, it is almost as if I have two identities.”
• Why we need to respect sexual orientation, gender diversity in autism
• Gender and sexuality in autism, explained

Autistic Pride Day

• View from the Spectrum – Russell Lehmann
• Celebrating autistic Pride Day Facebook Live Episode
• My Brother Tim’s Story
• Autism Acceptance Not Awareness: A Perspective Shift Is Needed
• Autistic Pride Day

Inclusive Summer Activities

• Summertime Socialization, Skill Building, and Pride Month
• Summer Activities for Kids with Autism or Sensory Processing Disorders
• Kidscamp.com
• Designing the Perfect Playroom for Children with Autism

COVID-19 Resources

• Why it’s normal to feel anxious about a post-COVID future
• 5 Tips for Easing Into Post-COVID Life When the Time Comes
• Autism In The Pandemic: How People Cope
• Autism Society Vaccine Statement #1, 12/10/20
• Autism Society Vaccine Statement #2, 5/13/21
• Vaccine Information:
  • CDC Fully Vaccinated (5/16/21). Click here
  • CDC People with disabilities (5/13/21). Click here
  • CDC Unvaccinated (3/8/21). Click here
  • CDC Event Planning (2/19/21). Click here
  • CDC’s State/Local Health Department search. Click here

Policy Resources

• The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released a Questions and Answers on Civil Rights and School Reopening document to reference for the COVID-19 Environment.
• Please use this action alert to urge your Representatives and Senators to co-sponsor the National Training for Police and Mental Health Crisis Support bills.
• On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. Check out this State Advocacy Toolkit to advocate for COVID-19 funding for target programs.

The Autism Society’s National Contact Center staff are here to support you and provide you with the resources you need. Our Information & Referral Specialists are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (Eastern Time) at 800-3-AUTISM (800-328-8476) or info@autism-society.org.

The Autism Society is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all affected by autism. $50 allows the Autism Society to provide an hour of support to our affiliate network to create localized education resources, support, and advocacy to individuals and families affected by autism. If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting our efforts through a donation, every bit helps. Donate here!