The lecture focuses on the importance of self-advocacy for people with autism, as it presents itself in the advanced reforms made in Hungary, such as the “Eight Points” project, and the establishment of the first NGO in Hungary, which is directed and governed by people with autism.

2. THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTISTIC
SELF- ADVOCACY
IN THE CONTEXT OF
PROGRESSIVE REFORMS -
GOOD PRACTICE
FROM HUNGARY
Kriszta Horvát – Gábor Petri
Equal Opportunities for Disabled People Non-profit Ltd.
Eight Points Project (TAMOP-5.4.11.)

3. „tudás”
- Naprakész információ
- Kommunikáció
Eight Points Project Core Activities
Supporting Institutions (27+10)
Parent Training,
Family Programs
Set of Criteria
Training Programs for Professionals,
Accredited Trainings
Professional Consultancy Network
Autism
Information System
National Autism
Coordination Center

4. Eight Points Project:
Practice Oriented Events and Training

7. Historical Review – Mitzi Waltz (2013)
• Medical model – focuses on the impairment of the individual
based on a medical, diagnostic, therapeutical approach, describes
the individual by focusing on defects and deficiencies.
• Social model – analyses the social interaction of the individual. It
states that the disability becomes an impairment if the individual
does not get appropriate support in his/her social interactions, if
society fails to make reasonable adjustments.
• The framework of the social model is defined by the combination
of the individual and the social situation of the individual.
• The multitude of different types of support that meet the needs
of the individual play a key role for autistic people, not their
physician or therapist.

8. We are making advances…
• in the direction of self-advocacy
• Parent networking and advocacy began despite the opposition of
professionals about 40 years ago.
• Self-advocacy emerged in parallel with the appearance of the internet,
despite the fact that autistic people were and still are unwanted
participants of parent movements.

9. I am very proud who I am.
Always remember that difference
is cool. (Jackson, 2003)

10. Effective Self-Advocacy
Goodley (1998) Llewellyn and Northway (2008)
• It is not sufficient for self-advocacy groups to be formed or autistic
people to be consulted, self-advocacy groups must be supported
too.
• The mode of support, the attitude and role of the supporter
determine the nature and effectiveness of self-advocacy.
• Tokenism offers no progress.
• It must be ensured that the group really advocates its own goals
and that the supporter has no influence over the content and
exercises no control over the group.

11. Neurodiversity - Jim Sinclair (1993)
Autism
• is not a disease
• is not a sin
• is not immoral
• is a way of being, a natural expression of human
diversity
• represents a human value
”Don’t Mourn for Us” (Sinclair, 1993)
• ”We are not sick, we don’t need to be cured”
(Sainsbury, 2011)

12. The ”New Triad”
Autistic People

13. Autistic Pride
Source: Gabrielle Bryden

14. ASAN
Autistic Self Advocacy Network

15. Goals and Methods of ASAN
• Full participation
• Full representation
• Not just in token amounts, but with real representation and real
ability to influence the outcomes
• ”Curriculum for Self-Advocates” (in cooperation with other organizations)
• Mentorship, terminology, communication, initiative, organizing
meetings, role of sponsors, hints and tips, guidelines
• ”What you do, and who you are, really counts. That is why this is
your organization” (People First’s slogan )

16. Autinterest 2015
Budapest
• Initiated by autistic adults
• Pilot program run by the Eight Points Project
• Objective: to assist and prepare autistic groups for self-advocacy
• i.e. to express their opinions and needs and to complement the
narratives of professionals and parents.

17. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!
https://www.facebook.com/8Pont
Kriszta Horvát
horvat.krisztina@fszk.hu