Redefining Success: Becca Lory Hector on Autism, Advocacy, and Authentic Living

In this episode of the Neurodiversity Voices podcast, host Paul Cruz and co-host Gino Akbari engage in a profound conversation with Becca Lory Hector, an openly autistic advocate and professional. Becca shares her journey of receiving a late autism diagnosis at age 36, the impact it had on her life, and how it fueled her passion for advocacy. The discussion delves into the challenges faced by autistic individuals, including stigma, ableism, and barriers to leadership opportunities. Becca also introduces her Self-Defined Living Course, which empowers autistic individuals to design fulfilling lives tailored to their unique needs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, collaboration, and the need for inclusive spaces that embrace neurodiversity. Becca's insights on the quality of life research and the necessity of advocating for change resonate throughout the episode, culminating in a powerful message about embracing difference and fostering understanding in society.

Takeaways

Becca's late diagnosis at 36 transformed her life and advocacy.
Advocacy is crucial in the current political climate for neurodivergent individuals.
Stigma and ableism create significant barriers in professional settings.
The Self-Defined Living Course helps autistic individuals design fulfilling lives.
Quality of life for autistics is often overlooked in traditional measures.
Inclusive spaces are essential for fostering belonging and acceptance.
Leadership opportunities for autistic individuals are often limited by bias.
Collaboration within the autistic community enhances advocacy efforts.
Newly diagnosed individuals should prioritize self-exploration and reclaiming their identities.
Embracing differences is key to thriving as a neurodivergent individual.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Neurodiversity Voices Podcast
02:23 Becca's Journey to Diagnosis
05:45 Impact of Late Diagnosis on Advocacy
08:13 Reflections on Childhood and Self-Discovery
10:04 Stigma and Bias in Professional Settings
14:11 Advice for Navigating Stigmas
14:30 Self-Defined Living Course Overview
19:05 Feedback and Impact of the Course
22:36 Research Insights and Community Engagement
23:55 Survival vs. Thriving: The Autistic Experience
24:57 Quality of Life: Autistic vs. Neurotypical Perspectives
26:44 Creating Inclusive Spaces: The Role of Organizations
29:05 Barriers to Inclusive Leadership
31:03 The Autistic Glass Ceiling: Personal Experiences
34:29 Collaboration in the Autistic Community
36:27 Advice for Newly Diagnosed Autistics
41:15 The Future of Neurodiversity Inclusion
42:33 Challenging Myths: Autistic Leadership
43:40 Embracing Difference: A Key to Fulfillment

Becca Lory Hector (she/her/hers)

Autistic Mentor, Speaker, Researcher, Author, & Consultant
https://beccaloryhector.com
DEIB Disability Consulting via
Truly Inclusive Leadership
https://www.trulyinclusiveleadership.com/
LinkedIn Top Voice in Disability Advocacy:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccaloryhector

Grab a Copy of My Book
Always Bring Your Sunglasses
https://a.co/d/bYoYLYL

Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/BeccaLoryHector
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/BeccaLoryHector
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/beccaloryhector/

Self-Defined Living Course: A Path to a Quality Autistic Life
https://beccalory.com/downloads/self-defined-living-course-a-path-to-a-quality-autistic-life/

Self-Defined Living Shoppe
https://beccalory.com/selfdefinedshoppe/

The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast
Host: Paul Cruz
Co-Host: Gino Akbari
Producer: Tegan Siganski

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