Apr 10, 2023
Ben VanHook is an autistic master’s degree student studying public policy at George Mason University, with the hopes of reforming employment and education policy to make them more inclusive for neurodivergent individuals. Ben's passion for creating a more inclusive world stems from his own experiences as an autistic Jewish Asian American adoptee and has led to him speaking and presenting to employers, professors, researchers and self-advocates in the United States and abroad.
During this episode, you will hear Ben talk about:
- How he learned he was autistic while he was in high school
- The challenges he faced coming from China to the United States as an adoptee
- His insights about the intersections of his identities as an autistic, Jewish, Asian American adoptee
- How posting on LinkedIn led him to become a neurodiversity advocate and public speaker on the intersections of autism, race and religion
- His role in a TV documentary about intersectionality between race and autism
- His thoughts on supporting neurodivergent employees in the workplace and in their careers
- What are the main goals for his advocacy
To learn more about Ben and his advocacy:
- Follow him on LinkedIn
- Watch the PBS documentary episode that featured him: “A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity - Neurodivergence and People of Color”
- See his United Nations presentation about Autistic perspectives on Policy and Advocacy for 2023 World Autism Awareness Day
Listener shout-outs! A big THANK YOU to Elaine A. and Dan G. for supporting this podcast on BuyMeACoffee.com!
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*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*