Session 5: Central Elements between Intersectionality, Autism & Gender: The Research in 2021

Presenters: Wenn Lawson, PhD, and Jac Den Houting, PhD 

About the session:

This session highlighted the current understanding of gender identity in autistic people. The webinar focused on the experiences of autistic ciswomen, transgender, and gender-diverse people.

About the presenters:

Dr. Wenn, (Phd) AFBPsS MAPS AASW, autistic, a family man with autistic offspring and autistic grandchildren, a lecturer, psychologist, researcher, advocate, writer and poet, has shared his experiences, writings and resources for over 3 decades. Wenn has published and contributed to more than 25 books and many papers. Wenn is an Associate Researcher with Curtin University (WA: AU), & Macquarie University (NSW: AU) & Tutor Practitioner with the University of Birmingham’s (UK) Masters Autism course, a member of the autism Co-operative Research Centre (ACRC), Co-Chair of the Autism Research Council, Australia, Ambassador for ‘I CAN’, Australia, on the Editorial Board for ‘Autism in Adulthood’ and joining the US Autism association advisory Board in September 21. Dr. Wenn is a member of The ND Co. Australia, who put out monthly resources re: autism. Wenn runs his own business, has a Youtube channel and home page. In 2008 he won 4th. place as Victorian Australian of The Year & in 2017 he presented to the United Nations on matters of Autism and ageing. For more about, and from Dr. Wenn see: www.wennlawson.com

Dr. Jac den Houting is a research psychologist and Autistic activist working in pursuit of social justice. Jac is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Macquarie University in Sydney, where they investigate structural and systemic inequities in autism research. In 2015, Jac was awarded an Autism CRC scholarship to complete their PhD through the Autism Centre of Excellence at Griffith University in Brisbane. In late 2019, Jac made their TEDx debut with a viral talk that has accrued more than 650,000 views to date. Prior to their research career, Jac gained 10 years’ experience as a psychologist in the criminal justice system.

Jac is proudly neurodivergent and queer, and uses they/them pronouns. After participating in the inaugural Future Leaders Program at the 2013 Asia Pacific Autism Conference, Jac quickly became established as a strong advocate for the Autistic community. Jac is a Deputy Editor for the journal Autism in Adulthood, a founding member of the INSAR Autistic Researchers Committee, and a member of Aspect’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee and Advisory Council.

Session 5 Materials PDF

Session 5 Slides

Recorded on July 19, 2021