We did it! The first known INSAR meet-up of 8 autistic women was held May 2 at the hotel room shared by Spectrum Women Magazine (SWM) Correspondent Christine Jenkins and Dori Zener. There were several more invited who didn’t make it. We had representatives from three Canadian provinces, the US and the UK. Women made up the greater part of the largest contingent of autistics ever at INSAR thanks to a new lower registration fee. I sold 6 copies of Spectrum Women (one to Nirit, a researcher from Israel) and I hope many new friendships were formed. ~ Christine
About Christine Jenkins — International Correspondent
Christine is a certified voice teacher, trained singer and former radio producer with a degree in journalism who also gives piano lessons on her century-old grand. Christine is a peer mentor to many women who suspect they are on the spectrum. Her current special interests are research into and widespread use of female diagnostic tools, avoidance of misdiagnosis, and wellness for senior autistics. She speaks at conferences and was interviewed by CBC radio and the Ottawa Citizen. Christine co-founded the Asperfemme support group that hosted their first women’s conference in 2013 and recently co-founded the new group Facebook support group AsperDames for autistic women over 40. Late diagnosed in 2008, Christine speaks French and German (Swiss heritage), loves writing, reading, sewing, hiking, canoeing, tea and cats.
