Let’s talk.
Autism Dialogue is a radical form of conversation that facilitates open and honest sharing of views and opinions, by generating a free exchange of ideas and information without an agenda.
We are an autistic-led organisation and have specifically chosen a method known as ‘Bohm Dialogue’ as a starting point. Autism is an ideal focus for Dialogue because of a perceived growing disparity between viewpoints (particularly between autistic and non-autistic people) and the way in which dialogue can address this issue in a uniquely participatory way.
There is existing energy around discussions of autism and a growing voice from autistic people, who feel unrepresented and overlooked in medical research (Pellicano et al. 2013). Often views can be polarised and expressed via electronic media, providing little scope for nuanced discussion and active listening. Barriers to group settings and normative social communication are explored as part of the overall process.
A principle of Dialogue is that individuals try to build upon others' ideas and experience everyone’s point of view fully, equally and non-judgmentally, and suspending judgement and assumptions, so that new knowledge and a collective understanding can be formed (Bohm, 2013).
Our agenda is generosity and care and our aims are unification and understanding as well as well-being, empowerment, positive identification and a better lived experience for autistic people. Dialogue could play an important role across all disciplines by accelerating discussion and increasing professional and academic cohesion.
This is a unique, new platform upon which the full spectrum of the autism community have the opportunity to truly participate together including of course autistic people, their families and carers, academics, clinicians and other professionals. A national research programme is planned, which aims to directly explore quality of autistic lives and how, along with professional and academic realms, Dialogue might work more cohesively towards the overall goal of a better lived experience for autistic people.
Please get in touch about these or anything else you’d like to discuss.
www.autismdialogue.org/contact
