For Autism Acceptance Month, Quality Trust spoke with our attorney, Spenser Dettwyler, about how his lived experience with autism shapes his advocacy, informs his legal work, and drives his commitment to systemic change.
“Growing up, I was often misunderstood before I was ever supported,” Spenser shared. “There were assumptions about what I could or couldn’t do, how I communicated, and what I needed—without anyone actually asking me.” He reflected on the misconceptions he faced early on, including being underestimated or having his needs misinterpreted. “A lot of the challenges weren’t about my abilities—they were about systems and people not being designed to understand or support me.” Those experiences became foundational to his career path. “They pushed me toward law and advocacy because I wanted to do more than navigate broken systems. I wanted to help fix them.”
As an attorney, Spenser’s lived experience continues to shape how he approaches his work. “Being both autistic and a lawyer gives me a dual perspective,” he explained. “I understand how legal and policy systems are written, but I also understand how they are experienced by the people they impact.” He emphasized that too often, those systems are built without meaningful input from people with developmental disabilities. “Decisions are made about us without us. My role is to challenge that—to make sure lived experience is not just acknowledged, but valued and centered in those spaces.”
Navigating the intersection of personal experience and professional responsibility requires intention, but Spenser sees it as a strength. “I’m always mindful that I’m advocating alongside and on behalf of a diverse community, not speaking for everyone,” he said. “But my lived experience helps me ask better questions, identify gaps others might miss, and push for
solutions that are grounded in reality.” He noted that this perspective is especially critical when advocating for systemic change. “Policy can look good on paper and still fail people in practice. Lived experience helps close that gap.”
Spenser also stressed the importance of shifting how autism and developmental disabilities are understood across systems. “I wish more policymakers, legal professionals, and service providers understood that autism is not a single story,” he said. “It’s not something to be reduced to stereotypes or treated as a problem to fix. It’s a form of human diversity that deserves respect, support, and access.” He added that meaningful advocacy must go beyond awareness. “We need to move toward acceptance that actually changes outcomes—better policies, better services, and real inclusion in decision-making.”
For Spenser, that means centering disabled voices at every level. “If we want systems that work, we have to listen to the people who use them,” he said. “Not just as a formality, but as a guiding principle.” He emphasized that advocacy should be rooted in dignity, autonomy, and accountability. “Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity to reflect, but more importantly, it’s a call to act. Inclusion isn’t just about being present—it’s about having power.”
At Quality Trust, this conversation underscores the importance of advocacy that is informed by lived experience and grounded in equity. Building truly inclusive systems means ensuring that people with developmental disabilities are not only included, but heard, respected, and empowered. Spenser is grateful for the opportunity to help build those systems by working on Quality Trust’s Self-Determined Lives Project.
“Through the Self-Determined Lives Project, I advocate for the rights of my peers – other people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities here in the District – to be able to live their best lives. That means being free from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It means having the support they need to navigate the transition into adulthood, especially for those who can still benefit from special education services. It also means having access to alternatives to guardianship, being able to rely on others for support without losing all of their decision-making rights to a guardianship. I’m grateful that I get to do this work every day.”