Our Self-Advocate Council
In October 2021, the ASCV formed our first Self-Advocate Advisory Council. This group of self-advocates advises and supports the ASCV team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of our programs, services, and supports, to ensure we are appropriately including, incorporating, and amplifying autistic voices in the work we do. Our Council Members represent a broad range of ages, cultures, and autistic experiences. This year, the Council aims to contribute to current organizational priorities, identify other potential focus areas, and build its membership. If you would like to find out how to get involved, please reach out to [email protected].
Phoenix Amadeus
Member
Phoenix Haynes (they/them)
Member
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
-Emily Dickinson
One of the longest-serving members of the Council, Phoenix is an aspiring alt-pop singer-songwriter with a strong sense of social justice. An outsider since childhood, Phoenix understands the challenges of being autistic and genderfluid in a neurotypical, binary world. They realize that autism affects everyone differently and are honored to be part of such a diverse and accepting team of self-advocates. Phoenix hopes to use their music and poetry to pay that acceptance forward.
Dr. Emily Barker
Member
Dr. Emily Barker
Member
Dr. Emily Barker earned her PhD in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023 and taught for seven years during her graduate studies. Through teaching, she developed a strong belief that it is possible to support all learners while maintaining high standards.
While in graduate school, Emily also taught herself Dutch through founding an online conversation group, reading novels in Dutch, and exploring what makes learning motivating and accessible. This experience deepened her understanding of individualized learning and supporting people who are still developing communication skills.
After two years working as a chemist, Emily began volunteering with the Autism Society of Central Virginia. Drawing on her own lived experience and her background in teaching and learning, she quickly connected with and supported individuals with a wide range of needs. She soon began working as a behavior technician to gain further experience and expand her teaching repertoire. Emily now works at a neurodiversity-affirming clinic and is pursuing BCBA licensure.
First professionally identified as autistic in the 90s, Emily believes she has an existential responsibility towards authentically overcoming her challenges in order to show others how to do the same.
Jalesia Clardy-Josephs
Member
Jalesia Clardy-Josephs (she/her)
Member
Jalesia has been involved with the ASCV since January of 2023 when she started as an intern for them. She was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 4 when she lived overseas in Okinawa, Japan. When she’s not volunteering for ASCV events, she likes to spend her free time crocheting, watching YouTube, and roller skating. She currently attends Reynolds Community College and is working towards a career studies certificate in Ecommerce in hopes of having a small business in crochet!
Kyle Cope
Member
Kyle Cope (he/him)
Member
Kyle has been involved in meetings of Autistic youth since adolescence, and now has joined the ASCV in order to find young adults who have interest in providing a unified message of encouragement to other individuals on the spectrum. He is working towards a full time job in writing and publishing, some of which is geared towards those with autism as well as the professionals who work in this field and may benefit from the opinions of those who’ve experienced different approaches to treatment. In addition to his work in writing as an autistic voice, Kyle also is preparing academic theses on a rage of topics from artistic critique to linguistics, and also is aspiring for work in the creative arts such as sketching and screenwriting; he also regularly looks online for obscure authors to read, whether it is find undiscovered talent or just to reveal under appreciated old manuscripts. In his own time, Kyle enjoys walking through Virginia’s natural scenery, reading and watching any classics he can find and talking with his loved ones.
Robert Davis
Member
Robert Davis (he/him)Â
Member
I am a high school graduate of this state of Virginia. I like to express myself with digital art, I like to try new things, expand my horizons and influence new faces.
Nasiyah Isra-Ul
Member
Nasiyah Isra-Ul (they/she)
Member
Bill Lemmond
Member
Bill Lemmond (he/him)
Member
It took Bill 40 years finally to rise to lower middle class, largely because of very late diagnosis of: clinical depression, non-hyper, daydreaming type attention deficit, and autism (at age 51). With depression finally in remission, Bill was able to try college again, and win academic and creative (for newspaper cartooning) awards, completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 10 years. Graduating into the typical experience for people with disabilities, the only job Bill has been able to keep is part-time janitor, cleaning for first responders.
Alex Longest
Member
Alex LongestÂ
Member
Hi, my name is Alex. When I was younger, I was adopted from Russia, and was diagnosed with autism around that same time. It has been hard for me to find people who understand autism. During high school, I did track and cross country and that is when I found my 2 closest friends. During high school, I got the nickname Siberian tiger. I’m happy that I found a society that supports and advocates for the autistic community.
Franzheska Maysonet
Member
Franzheska Maysonet
Member
Franzheska, refered to as Frankie, is a autistic Afro-Latina and Florida native, new to Virginia. She joined the ASCV back in the summer of 2024 and hasn’t looked back. Her favorite hobbies include writing, knitting, stuffed animal collecting and studying spirituality. When she’s not meditating, she is helping her Brother in Law by volunteering at his insurance business or playing with her chocolate Labrador, Byrd. She can’t wait to make a real impact with her work here as a Autistic Self Advocate.
Liz Motley
Member
Liz MotleyÂ
Member
Elizabeth (Liz) Motley is a woman with autism. She was diagnosed in 2024 and is a proud self-advocate. She went to Longwood University where she got a B.S in Therapeutic Recreation. She works as a substitute teacher in the public schools, and consults for Thrive with Artie. She loves her cattle dog Molly, and having adventures with her. She enjoys travel, cooking, crafting, hiking, swimming, kayaking and reading. She is excited to be on the self-advocate council and give back to the community who embraced her.
Cameron Sabel
Member
Cameron Sabel (he/him)
Member
I have been connected to the ASCV for many years and have been grateful for all they have done for me and my family. After helping volunteer at the 5K for the past few years, I decided I wanted to take the next step and serve the organization and community in a bigger way.
I look forward to bringing new perspectives to ASCV programming and functions
Jordan Smith
Member
Jordan Smith (he/him)
Member
Jordan was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism after graduating from college in 2018. Passionate about fashion and hopes to create his own clothing line. Jordan enjoys playing sports, yoga, and being adventurous. Beyond his athletic pursuits, he hopes to inspire individuals on the autism spectrum, proving that with determination and courage, anything is possible.
Kishonna Staub
Member
Kishonna “Kish” Staub (she/her)
Member
Kishonna “Kish” is an autistic self-advocate who was diagnosed with ADHD as a child and autism as an adult. She works full time in accounting and is a college student at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, where she is studying ASL/Deaf Studies and Healthcare. She’s a bookworm with a longtime love for Michael Jackson and enjoys collecting plush, books, and crystals. Meditation is part of her daily routine, and she lives with her husband and their three cats. She’s excited to be part of the Self-Advocate Council, get more involved with ASCV, and hopes to make the world a little better along the way.
David Horlacher
Member
David Horlacher (he/him)
Member
71 Male, 43 years married, spouse Barb, two independent adult children. Barb and I are members of Richmond Cohousing , an intentional community of 19 families living together in the Manchester neighborhood since 2019. Retired in 2020 , after career working as a data architect for large corporations — worked remotely since 2005.
Diagnosed ADHD in 1995 , self diagnosed ASD in 2023.
My days are consumed with photography, chess, entomology, and the graphic arts.
Want to help others on the spectrum find their joy in life.
McKenzie Elim
Staff Liaison
McKenzie Elim (she/her)
Staff Liaison
McKenzie is a graduate of Long Island University Global, where she majored in Global Studies and minored in International Relations, Spanish, and Arts and Communications. After interning with the ASCV in Fall 2023 and writing her thesis on the self-determination of autistic adults, McKenzie joined the ASCV as a Program Associate. Outside of work, McKenzie loves to travel, learn languages, eat vegetables, and play sports.
Amelia McGregor
Member
Amelia McGregor (she/her)
Member
Amelia is a new member of the self-advocate council. After her diagnosis in 2022, at the age of 18, she discovered the ASCV. For the last couple of years, she has enjoyed participating in events. Amelia loves learning and memorizing information on various music genres. She enjoys trying new outdoor activities like rafting on the James River and backpacking. Amelia looks forward to giving her time and input into current and future programs. She hopes to help grow this community.Â