Opportunities, Agency, and Dignity: Reimagining Responsible Education for Autistic Students

• In Event: Centering the Interests, Agendas, Narratives, Perspectives, and Voices of Disabled Students

Abstract

Previous scholarship on the responsibility of special educators to students with disabilities, and Autistic students specifically, have focused on the legal requirements of IDEA and implementation of rigorous Applied Behavior Analysis. As Autistic scholars, we challenge this service-oriented, legal compliance notion of responsibility as limited and ablenormative. Instead, we outline five key components of a responsible education for Autistic students. These tenets reimagine responsibility to center the opportunities, agency, and dignity of the Autistic student, dispelling misconceptions and harmful assumptions about this student population. By clearly articulating the responsibility of educators towards Autistic students, we hope to guide educators in creating affirming, effective, and responsive educational spaces for all.

Authors

• Robin Roscigno, Rutgers University

• Helen Rottier, University of Illinois at Chicago