Mapping The Concepts: Autism Level UP (ALUP) 5 Key Domains

Gabriela Michaca Abrego OT/ master’s degree/ School Neuropsychologist

Disclosure: Chat GPT generated

ALUP Level	Language Framing	Autistic Agency	Focus of Support	Epistemic Power	Equity & Rights Framing
1. Awareness	Uses clinical and diagnostic language; may use stigmatizing terms (e.g. 'disorder', 'symptoms')	Autistic people seen as passive recipients or labels	Emphasis on treatment, fixing, or normalizing behaviors	Professionals and textbooks define autism	Autism framed as a medical issue; no rights-based discussion
2. Acceptance	Shifts toward neutral terms but still anchored in diagnosis/impairments	Beginning to acknowledge autistic experience	Support still aims to reduce 'problem behaviors' or improve 'functioning'	Non-autistic experts and families dominate knowledge	Begins recognizing inclusion but still sees systems as procedural
3. Appreciation	Uses more inclusive terms and mentions strengths; still inconsistent	Values autistic voice but may tokenize it	Starts to recognize environmental influence and sensory needs	Autistic perspectives consulted but not central	Begins exploring equity but with limited systemic critique
4. Empowerment	Identity-first and neurodiversity-affirming language	Autistic people lead or co-design initiatives	Focus on accommodations, autonomy, and enabling environments	Lived experience has epistemic authority	Embraces inclusive design; challenges systemic exclusion
5. Advocacy	Celebrates neurodiversity; actively deconstructs ableist narratives	Autistic leadership and self-advocacy centered	Support is community-driven and based on rights, not charity	Autistic people define priorities and lead knowledge production	Systemic ableism is challenged; rights and justice are core values

REFERENCE

Fede, J. L., Amy. (2020). So, you want to Autism Level UP!? …Game on! https://neuroclastic.com/so-you-want-to-autism-level-up-game-on/