Everything we know about autism is wrong… or is it?
In this special interview, we chat with Dr Jac den Houting, research psychologist and Autistic advocate working in pursuit of social justice. We chat about their autism research, Ted Talk and other advocacy work, and the power of media representation.
Show Notes
About the author
Dr Jac den Houting is a research psychologist and autistic activist working in pursuit of social justice. Jac is committed to creating real-world change that benefits autistic people, in the areas that matter most to the autistic community. Jac believes that autism research can be most meaningful and impactful when it is conducted by and with the people it is intended to serve – autistic people.
Jac trained as a psychologist in Brisbane, Australia, where they also completed their PhD through Griffith University’s Autism Centre of Excellence. Currently, Jac is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Macquarie University in Sydney, where they investigate structural and systemic inequities in autism research. Prior to their research career, Jac gained 10 years’ experience as a psychologist in the criminal justice system.
All About Women Festival
Thank you to the All About Women Festival for linking us together. Jac is appearing as a panellist on the Actually Autistic panel, on Sunday March 12 2023. Check out sydneyoperahouse.com for more info.
We live in a society that is only just beginning to recognise neurodivergence in women and non-binary people. So how does it feel to be misdiagnosed for years? Does greater public awareness lead to acceptance and inclusion when it comes to socialising? What are some strategies to cope with ableist systems? And what stereotypes do we really need to put in the bin?
In a world where we often hear about autistic people, this panel of actually autistic high achievers tells us about their own lives, on their own terms. They’ll be sharing about navigating social scenes and professional settings, and what masking and mimicry mean. This will be an essential session exploring how everyone can be part of a world that is inclusive, accessible and full of support.
About the panel
Links and resources
- Jac’s website: jacademic.com
- Jac’s Ted Talk, Why everything you know about autism is wrong
- Stella Young’s Ted Talk, I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much
- Monique Botha’s 2021 publication, Academic, Activist, or Advocate? Angry, Entangled, and Emerging: A Critical Reflection on Autism Knowledge Production (Frontiers in Psychology)
Jac’s media recommendations
- Everything’s Gonna Be Okay (2020)
- Heartbreak High (2022)
Novel Feelings 