Gender and Sexuality:  This is a supportive area to talk about, but is not limited to, GLBTQ issues regarding sexual identity, orientation, gender and other issues.

The area is open for those who are comfortable discussing these topics publicly, but we want to be supportive of everyone regarding this. 

If you wish for a more private area, feel free to use the Sanctuary area, or contact us to set up a specific private area. 

If you have any suggestions regarding this space, please contact us.

Is there a local chapter you'd like to recommend of an advocacy organization? A smaller group? Share it here!

 Hi guys! I wanted to let you know what this Section is and isn't for, and some rules specifically for this section (you should also adhere to the Forum Rules, of course.)

What Is Personal Advocacy?

Personal Advocacy is addressing the issues that you personally are facing. This covers a wide range of things, from issues with an IEP or other plan, to speaking up about your needs with your doctor or other service provider, to getting help navigating the legal system. For some people, it might even be as simple as learning how to tell a parent or other care giver what you need, or as complicated as escaping an abusive situation. Keep in mind that most of the people here are not lawyers, and that if you face legal issues you should contact a lawyer. You could ask for help finding a lawyer that deals with your specific issue, though, or help with navigating the justice and/or other systems, though!

A lot of times people use abbreviations in advocacy, and this can get really confusing, especially when you are new to advocacy. 

This thread is a place to share the different Abbreviations, What they Mean, and to Ask about any Abbreviations you are unfamiliar with. As we get more, I will add them to this post in alphabetical order. 

The Master List

Hi guys! I wanted to let you know what this Section is and isn't for, and some rules specifically for this section (you should also adhere to the Forum Rules, of course.)

What Is Community Advocacy?

Community Advocacy is, of course, advocacy that you do in the community. This ranges from taking on an issue with a policy at the local school board to State level work such as sitting on a board or protesting in your state capital about a state policy. You are representing more than one individual with community advocacy, often in hopes of changing a rule or policy that effects the community in some way. Or you may be organizing a group of individuals on the same issue in order to speak out about a local issue.

What is not Community advocacy is a specific case, unless it is being used to organize around an issue. National level work is, for the convenience of this site, not included in this section. For more info on what does not go here, click here.

Formatting

Hi! I'm, Savannah, I'm dropping in to make sure that all the Youth know about some opprotunities that are out there! If you have more Advocacy and Self-Advocacy leads for teens, let me know so that I can add them!

1. ASD Specific Organizations
2. Cross Disability Organizations
3. State Level Organizations

Autism Spectrum Specific