Compelling Why for ASD 365: Equity and Inclusion Every Day

It is crucial that individuals with autism and their families are fully included in their communities, moving society beyond an awareness limited to one month on the calendar to authentic acceptance, respect, and appreciation of all autistic individuals and their inherent worth as human beings with abilities, ideas, voices, and value every day of the year.


The Critical Questions are intended to provide guidance and expand your thinking. As you begin or expand activities focused on individuals with ASD, use these questions to assure you are using practices focused on equity and inclusiveness that value the voices and perspectives of the autistic community. 

These questions are a work in progress, and we will continue to spend more time on each question in the future. START is also committed to the ongoing provision of resources and dialogue to support our audience toward authentic inclusivity.



START Connecting Articles

Inclusion and Advocacy Resources for April and Beyond

This article originally appeared in START Connecting in March 2022. 

Inclusion and Equity

This article originally appeared in START Connecting in October 2021. 

When Words Matter

This article originally appeared in START Connecting in April 2021. 


START presents these resources to provide guidance and broaden your thinking. As you begin or expand activities focused on individuals with ASD, we ask that you use these resources to assure you are using practices focused on equity and inclusiveness that value the voices and perspectives of the autistic community. These resources will be a continuous work in progress informed by ongoing discussion and relevant publications and materials. Any use of these resources must be premised on the user’s own professional judgment as to the appropriateness for their district, community and student(s), and be undertaken in accordance with all applicable district policy.



Page last modified May 23, 2023