Autism Expressed Women's Group (Online) 'Our Experience of Self-Advocacy'

Autism Expressed Women's Group is a peer-led shared experience group for autistic women who live in the Southern Hemisphere.

My name is Lisa, and I'm an AuDHD'er with an autoimmune disorder.
I completed the coursework component of my Masters in Counselling at Monash University. I am currently on placement. As part of my placement, I run the Autism Expressed Women's Group. I have a clinical supervisor with whom I meet regularly. My approach to facilitation is autism-affirming and person-centred.

Date and time
Saturday, July 5, 2025 (11:00 am AWST to 12:30 pm).
The session may end earlier, depending on how many people attend.

Venue: Zoom (online)
A Zoom link will appear when people RSVP to the event.

Zoom Passcode
412209

The topic
Our Experience of Self Advocacy

Self-Advocacy
“Self-advocacy is the ability to ask for what you need and express yourself without fear or judgment or discrimination” (Kemp & Mitchelson, 2024, p.177).

Kemp, J. & Mitchelson, M. (2024). The neurodivergence skills workbook for autism and ADHD. New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Questions
1. What does self-advocacy mean to you?
2. What has been your experience of self-advocacy?
3. Can you describe any challenges you may have experienced advocating for yourself?
4. Can you describe any successes you have experienced advocating for yourself?
5. How have people responded to your expressions of self-advocacy?
6. When it comes to advocating for yourself, do you have any fears, concerns, or gaps in skill?
7. When advocating for yourself, what insights, knowledge, techniques, and skills have worked for you?
8. What are some small requests you could make to improve your life?

Format

• Acknowledgment of country
• Welcome
• Group purpose and procedure
• Individuals are invited to share on the topic (3 minutes each)
• Five minutes of general discussion.
• Closing

Inclusivity
Clinically diagnosed, self-realised, and questioning are most welcome.

All members of marginalised genders, including non-binary, male-to-female trans, and female-to-male trans, are welcome.

Disclosure of gender identity is welcome but never mandatory.

Respect
We share our own experiences as we understand them and respect others' understanding of their own experiences. Listening sincerely, we "take what we like and leave the rest".

Disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated and dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

SAGE was established in February 2020 and is run by volunteers. SAGE requires funds to pay for meetup administrators, event spaces and insurance. If you would like to support SAGE, donations are welcome at:

SAGE GoFundMe Link