https://www.thomasgledbetter.com/videos daily 0.75 2025-01-28 https://www.thomasgledbetter.com/faq daily 0.75 2024-03-13 https://www.thomasgledbetter.com/connect daily 0.75 2025-01-27 https://www.thomasgledbetter.com/research daily 0.75 2025-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/1647283216637-4BAIB4534Y74SDUW808S/unsplash-image-Cq9slNxV8YU.jpg Research Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/1647283398547-M1VYAHF8DOPBAPRZEWZS/unsplash-image-zFSo6bnZJTw.jpg Research Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/1647283494171-WQ9Q4ZJCL7Q4UJXHEL08/unsplash-image-5u6bz2tYhX8.jpg Research Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/1647284301480-QUC312CQNO0TSKSNUG50/unsplash-image-ioNNsLBO8hE.jpg Research Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/1647284842026-5CI0IFV3PXWUD0789N6X/unsplash-image-jCEpN62oWL4.jpg Research Work https://www.thomasgledbetter.com/thomas-ledbetter-autistic-advocate-and-researcher daily 1.0 2025-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/35cfb17a-5825-4e01-a910-66b2e1ab6019/rIAmA+Verification+-+Imgur.jpg Thomas Ledbetter | Autistic Advocate and Researcher - From a cognitive standpoint, I have focused on language development in autistic infants and how our social processing affects the ways in which we acquire language. Additionally, I have a background in moral and political philosophy that connects the fields of virtue ethics, bioethics, and disability studies together. Furthermore, I have conducted presentations regarding autism and disability advocacy and have worked alongside autism researchers in both the clinical and community-based worlds. Lastly, before switching to advocacy, I began my Master’s in School Counseling at the Warner School of Education in 2020 to gain an understanding of both the educational system as well as how to counsel individuals with and without disabilities. By combining these disciplines together, I hope to be able to learn from as many angles as possible how my community experiences the world, what we need the most, and help give us a sense of hope that is real, tangible, and instills in us the most joy and quality of life possible. If you would like to see further information on my education and the projects and teams I have been involved in, you can take a look at my curriculum vitae here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/36f64178-f96e-4c4c-a93a-c044bd66a19d/20211002_142030+%281%29.jpg Thomas Ledbetter | Autistic Advocate and Researcher - Hello there! My name is Thomas, and I’m an autistic researcher, independent consultant, speaker, and advocate for my community. I have been studying autism through neurological, developmental, social, and political lenses for the past decade. My ultimate goal is to be an empowering voice for autistic people, to help us navigate complex systems and emotions, and to change the culture positively regarding how we understand autism and individual differences in general across all systems and domains. In 2023, I participated as an advocacy fellow at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. Between 2020 and 2022, I studied at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education in the Human Development program focusing on Developmental Differences, primarily autism spectrum disorder. Before my Human Development degree, I studied in several different fields relating to autism. I got my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester (2016-2020). My undergraduate thesis explored camouflaging autistic traits and shined a spotlight on autistic people’s experiences in order to see how this phenomenon ultimately impacted our mental health. https://www.thomasgledbetter.com/story-and-mission daily 0.75 2022-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/1e275b71-2f52-47ec-893a-1a43c84b7c97/20200427_165222.jpg Story and Mission - Born in 1998 to my two wonderful parents and a big family, I was initially diagnosed on the autism spectrum and was non-verbal by early 2000. While not knowing what would happen or come of my future, my parents both worked hard to advocate and give me the resources I needed to be in general education around other neurotypical children my age rather than in special education. Despite many battles with my school district, I was lucky to be eligible to be in a kindergarten class by the time I was 6 and was able to speak more than anyone ever expected. From there, I would slowly grow to become more social with people and try to make friends - which was an incredibly hard process for me at the time due to the bullying and isolation I often went through. And while I knew that I was different from people and what my autism was, it was not accepted by many of the people that I knew. However, my parents always reminded me that my autism was something that I should embrace and never feel ashamed or afraid of because it was a difference of mine that was valuable like any other. As I got into high school and began to enjoy my math and physics classes, I took a psychology class and, to my surprise, fell head over heels with the subject. I felt like I gained a better picture of people, could finally understand why my peers felt the way they did, and it made me more optimistic about people. I felt like I could see how complicated we all are and the individual uniqueness we all have just by being ourselves, and that drew me to the world of autism. I felt like I could take this knowledge and use it to help autistic people feel more secure and hopeful about their future and lives knowing that there were people who have the lived experiences and the academic ones. When I enrolled in university, I branched out and learned about autism and psychology in many different areas, was able to grow my skills in interacting with others, and eventually made some great friends along the way. Despite many changes in my life, my mission to help people and help autistic people know that their lives and perspectives are worthwhile and beautiful hasn’t strayed, and I hope it continues throughout my journey in advocacy and wherever else my life and autism journey takes me from here. Outside of the academic space, I’m interested in lots of films (especially science fiction and superhero genres), love my folk music and record collection, and have the hobbies of cooking, making digital graphic art, and decorating. https://www.thomasgledbetter.com/services daily 0.75 2025-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/1738005106530-K7HDTQFNAQ6D05N974LZ/unsplash-image-qnWPjzewewA.jpg Services - Project Collaboration Working on a pilot project and need an autistic consultant? I aim to use my personal experiences and academic expertise to make any project better for autistic people as well as practitioners in the field. Whether it be initiatives and programs in education, healthcare, research, and beyond, I’m more than welcome to share my thoughts and work with your team to bring your ideas to life. View my CV with my project consultations here. Payment will be on an hour-by-hour basis at $100/hour, but prices can be changed during special circumstances under my discretion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/1738004097286-AJL21UVA3HVTDPZ62AYU/unsplash-image-ypZHyD1TqP0.jpg Services - Guest Speaking Teaching for a class and want to bring an autistic person in with personal and academic experience? I’ve done numerous guest lectures, webinars, and presentations on neurodiversity, autistic experiences, and educational topics for students at all different levels. I’ve also presented to families and practitioners as well in several capacities and can present through Zoom (synchronous or asynchronous) or in-person depending on the location. If you’d like to browse through some of the presentations I’ve done, click here. Payment for guest speaking will depend on the length of the speaking engagement, the amount of preparation time beforehand (research, creating slides, etc.), and travel if done in person. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62296d6b718e915edd86c9b8/1738005205975-5AX5CF8YYSR97HQV4AS6/unsplash-image-KdeqA3aTnBY.jpg Services - General Consulting and Advocacy Are you autistic and would like an ear from someone who has been in your shoes? Are you a parent wanting to learn more about autism in general and how to help your child navigate complex systems? Do you want to learn more about autistic people in general and our experiences? Well look no further - I’d love to talk with you, hear your experiences, and see the ways I can give advice and help on your journeys through the worlds of autism, disability, and neurodiversity. Payment will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis depending on ability and need under my discretion. I want to make certain that my services to people and families are as accessible as possible cost-wise so that you get everything you need. https://www.thomasgledbetter.com/store daily 0.75 2025-01-27