Diversity, Autism, and Developmental Disabilities: Guide for the Culturally Sustaining Educator

This book is the 13th in the Prism series, developed by the Council for Exceptional Children Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. The Prism series is a collection of volumes that highlight evidence-based research-to-practice teaching strategies and interventions geared toward supporting students with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and other developmental disabilities. This book is about intersectionality, which is a way to understand social inequalities by acknowledging how multiple overlapping social identities impact and oppress certain populations. Examples of social identities include race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and [dis]ability, among others. Each category – race, gender, and [dis]ability – places a student at higher risk of discrimination or oppression. An intersectional perspective requires sensitivity, vulnerability, and a willingness to listen to alternative perspectives.