P站视频 grad AIMs to stamp out stereotypes
All too often, we focus on the negative qualities associated with autism. Ben VanHook 鈥21 wants to change that.
鈥淎utism has historically been heavily stigmatized and misrepresented, leading to discrimination, bullying, abuse, harassment and other forms of maltreatment for autistic persons,鈥 said VanHook. We should instead focus on the strengths and positives associated with the neurotype.
The negative stereotypes are sometimes unintentionally reinforced by doctors explaining the symptoms of autism to parents, said VanHook. The 鈥淒iagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders鈥濃攁 resource published by the American Psychiatric Association that lists the diagnostic criteria of autism and is most often used for autism assessments in the United States鈥攊s very deficits-based, he said.
VanHook double-majored in Political Science and Psychology at P站视频, graduating in 2021. He said he had the 鈥渉onor and privilege of being a part of P站视频鈥檚 AIM program.鈥
Brad McGarry, longtime program director of the Autism Initiative at P站视频 who died of ALS in 2023, was 鈥渁 huge inspiration鈥 to VanHook and greatly influenced the work he does in the neurodivergent community. 鈥淗e was the first person in my life to truly believe in me, see my autism as a gift and strength, and help me realize the limitless potential I had,鈥 VanHook said.
Many of P站视频鈥檚 core values鈥攃ompassionate hospitality, global responsibility, reflective awareness, and being socially merciful鈥斺済uide the work I do in disability rights and global human rights,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 have been the only autistic person in leadership at the American Psychological Association, Division 33 (autism and intellectual disabilities) since 2021,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not been easy, but I have been working to reform our division to become more inclusive and representative of autistic persons.鈥
VanHook is pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in public policy at George Mason University, with an emphasis in education policy.
鈥淪elf-reported Strengths and Talents of Autistic Adults,鈥 a report co-written by VanHook, aims to dismantle autism鈥檚 negative stereotypes and promote healthy discussions between parents, doctors, and those with autism. The paper was published in Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice.
鈥淯tilizing the autistic community was critical to our study,鈥 said VanHook. 鈥淲e implemented a community-based participatory research (CBPR) model from the outset and included autistic voices at every stage鈥攆rom evaluating our measurement tools to coding to writing the manuscript.鈥
VanHook works at the Organization for Autism Research in Arlington, Virginia, where he serves as community support coordinator, responsible for networking, running its Scholars鈥 Society and Self-Advocate Advisory Council, and bolstering its Hire Autism initiative.
PHOTO: Ben VanHook.