Best interests and the good life (Danny’s story)

Dr Virginia Bovell OBE, Co-Founder, Ambitious about Autism

This talk explores the notion of “Best Interests” with regard to autism and learning disability. Using her own experience as Danny’s mother, in situations that have required decisions on his behalf, Virginia raises questions about the role of un-examined bias (her own, as well as practitioners’ and clinicians’). The talk includes a discussion of the neurodiversity movement’s critique of ABA, the quest for autonomy, and the challenges involved in advocating for a learning-disabled adult.