Asiatu, (they pronouns), pronounced AH C AH TWO, is a name rooted in their father’s Nigerian heritage, meaning "wealthy.”

PROFESSIONAL WORK: Asiatu has been coaching professionally since 2009 and initially focused on healing all types of relationships, romantic and otherwise, teaching people how to be in commUNITY with each other. After being diagnosed autistic, they have spoken about neurovariety within multiple settings, including, but not limited to: Amnesty International, (2022), API Speech-Language-Hearing Caucus (2022), Autism In Black Annual Conferences (resident speaker) (2022+), Wheaton College, Massachusetts (2023) Neurodivergent Psychedelic & Cannabis Conferences (2024), a consultant for PDA North America Organization (2024) as well as multiple podcasts & social media interviews. They have also published written works speaking to their intersectional marginalized identities, especially being a Black autistic. (See Writing Page for details)

ACTIVISM: Asiatu became well known within the autism commUNITY, shortly after being diagnosed in 2020, where they orchestrated a boycott of a a fundraiser that was benefitting ASAN (Autism Self Advocacy Network). This organization has been known to be blatantly anti-Black and ironically ableist towards its members who are intellectually disabled. Previous members of the organization came together to demand changes, only for little change to have occurred.

At the time of the fundraiser, ASAN had plagiarized content of an Indigenous Autistic S.A.A.G (Socialized As A Girl) writer in one of their publications. Asiatu’s efforts resulted in the cancelation of the event while they were targeted by overtly, anti-Black, white, autistics. That hate has only evolved to numerous others, including being re-tweeted by Ted Cruz to support his transphobic and racist agenda.

Asiatu is not one that shies away from controversy, especially if it means giving voice and power back to the marginalized. They feel one of their greatest strengths is naturally having perceptions that go against toxic social norms.

NEUROVARIED HISTORY: Asiatu was diagnosed with ADD (which is classified today as ADHD), anxiety, depression, as well as learning disabilities, in puberty, and about twenty years later as autistic. Feeling like an outsider, and having passionate empathy, which they attribute mostly to their commUNITY mindset, combined with their family’s legacy of social work, including her maternal grandparents working and having a friendship with Martin Luther King Jr, are the roots of Asiatu’s desire to help others, while specializing in the neurovaried. They have always been one that has deeply connected to people that are silenced.

Asiatu self-identifies as hyper-empathic which they attribute to being autistic, and they use their sensitivity along with their life experiences, to empower those that feel lost, hurt, different and/or alone. Though they have always been vocal about social inequities since childhood, they began their professional training at Spelman College, earning a Sociology degree. After graduating, they worked with children, including autistics, in varying capacities, for a decade, before broadening their work to include other marginalized groups in 2009.

Today, they continue to help others through coaching, consulting, education, social media, classes, and their podcast “Audacious Autistics.” Season one can be found on YouTube. Season two is exclusively available to their ko-fi subscribers. The podcast is currently on indefinite hiatus.

CLIENTS: Asiatu has worked with people of multiple backgrounds, including the Black community, gender oppressed, LGBTQIA+, survivors of sexual abuse, and mental health warriors, all of which are reflections of themselves. As a result, they have a special affinity for working with S.A.A.G. autistics with late life diagnoses. Racism and gender biases within the medical field, has left many gender marginalized, especially racialized people, both misdiagnosed and under-diagnosed, specifically pertaining to autism/ADHD. Consequently, there remains a need for support for Black and racialized communities which Asiatu wants to fulfill.

Asiatu also works with guardians of neurovaried (NV) children. They give both resources and guidance to caretakers to foster a supportive environment. Sadly, oftentimes, NV littles aren’t understood and/or are invalidated by others, typically unconsciously by adults who care for them.

CommUNITY: Asiatu’s clients are not only varied, but their perspective is as well. While growing up and living within predominately white areas, working with the oppressed, it became clear that they wanted to also educate the privileged. They want to dismantle colonized mindsets, which we ALL HAVE been socialized to believe as standard. They are dedicated to creating empowering spaces so that all voices are heard, honored, supported and respected.