Autistic Minds are Magical, but Misunderstood: A Harry Potter Themed Busting of Myths about Autism

Hermione fights with Ron about whether to have their daughter Rose evaluated, Hermione in favor of pursuing an autism diagnosis, while Ron is reluctant. Hermione does extensive research on autism, in the process finally discovering in middle age that she herself is autistic. She is determined to shed light on the most common muggle myths about autism to pave the wave for a neurodiversity-affirming world for her daughter.

This presentation uses metaphors from the Harry Potter franchise to explain how autistic people express empathy, communicate, and connect differently. Hermione explains how she manages her rejection sensitivity dysphoria, PDA, softens transitions, and meets her sensory needs. She obtained workplace accommodations for herself as Minister of Magic and academic accommodations for her daughter Rose and will share her insights on explaining the diagnosis and instilling autistic pride in her daughter. We will discuss the pros and cons of masking for both the autistic individual and society, tips for avoiding medical quackery, and more. May curiosity be your patronus charm again the forces of darkness.

Lead panelist, psychiatric physician Stacy Greeter, MD (cosplay Hermione Granger), is autistic and ADHD herself and so speaks from both academic and lived experience. In real life she is actually a Hufflepuff on a humanitarian mission, using metaphor and story to spread accurate information about psychiatric treatment around the world through her psychiatry bootcamp series. Dr. Greeter completed her undergraduate studies at Duke University, graduating summa cum laude and entering Medical School at UNC-Chapel Hill on a full scholarship. Dr. Greeter completed both her residency in psychiatry and fellowship in child/adolescent psychiatry at Northwestern University.

Dr. Greeter is joined by psychologist Jessica Hogan, PsyD (cosplay Rowena Ravenclaw). Autistic and ADHD herself, Dr. Hogan is the owner of Neuron & Rose Psychological Services where she works to increase autism identification in women, trans/non-binary folk, and marginalized communities. Dr Hogan obtained her undergraduate degree in psychology at University of Minnesota and her Master’s and Doctor of Psychology Degree at Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Greeter’s real-life husband, Joshua Ingle (cosplay Ron Weasley) shares the perspective of the neurotypical spouse. Josh supports a neurodiversity-affirming world and is an ally to every neurotypical who has ever loved an autistic person. How does love succeed between two different neurotypes? Come find out. Joshua Ingle is a sci/fi fantasy author with a Master’s Degree in film from University of Central Florida and a Master’s in public health from University of South Florida. He performs the voice acting for the characters in Dr. Greeter’s psychiatry bootcamp presentations.

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light…

Of self-knowledge through accurate diagnosis and neurodiversity-affirming treatment.”

-Albus Dumbledore

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to describe both the strengths and challenges of living with an autistic neurotype in order to accommodate themselves and better support their loved ones.
2. Participants will recognize how stigma and misunderstanding have led to a lost generation of autistics who were never accurately diagnosed in childhood, and how finally discovery of one’s autistic neurotype can be tremendously empowering and liberating.
3. Participants will distinguish between traditional treatment and neurodiversity affirming treatment/resources to help build a healthy autistic identity for themselves and their loved ones.
4. Participants will be empowered with neurodiversity-affirming resources to engage in further self-directed learning as this field is ever growing and will be able to distinguish between quality evidence-based information and quackery.