Monday, April 28, 2025 – Autism support and awareness for Native Americans

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. promises a “massive testing and research effort” to find the cause of autism. Sec. Kennedy says it will happen by September. That ambitious promise alone, and other comments by Kennedy, are met with skepticism and even backlash by autism advocates and experts. Meanwhile, groups like Diné Parents Taking Action at Northern Arizona University are putting the work in to provide support and raise awareness when it comes to autism among Native Americans and other underserved communities. We’ll go over some of the facts about autism and how the disorder is being addressed among Native people.

GUESTS

Jules Edwards (Anishinaabe), author and disability justice advocate

Dr. Davis Henderson (Diné), associate professor with Northern Arizona University

Dr. Candi Running Bear (Diné), assistant professor at Western New Mexico University

 Dr. Olivia Lindly, assistant professor at Northern Arizona University

Break 1 Music: Walking In Beauty (song) Jay Begaye (artist) The Beauty Way (album)

Break 2 Music: Rodeo Song [Skip Dance Song] (song) Sweethearts of Navajoland (artist) From the Heart of Diné Nation Traditional Songs of the Navajo (album)