Advocacy & Self-Advocacy with Hayley and Matthew Leach Webinar

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This session will highlight the importance of self-advocacy skills for autistic individuals in academic and professional settings. Haley and Matthew will also discuss how family members, especially siblings, can play a role in advocating for their loved ones.

Miss Missouri 2023, Hayley Leach, is a second year law student at Washington University in St. Louis. Upon graduation, she plans on practicing education law with a specialty in disability issues and advocacy. Hayley is an autism awareness advocate, an internationally published author, and a former public school teacher. During her year of service, Hayley has partnered with organizations such as Best Buddies International and Autism Speaks. Since competing in the Miss America Organization, Hayley has accumulated over $31,000 in scholarships which have been used to further her education.

Matthew Leach currently resides in Lexington, Kentucky where he is a senior at the University of Kentucky.  He majors in Biology and plans to further his education by going to graduate school and getting a master’s degree in Forensic Science. His favorite things to do are reading, going to the movies, and spending time with his French Bulldog, Chloe. He has co-authored three books with his sister, Hayley, which are called “Frankie and Finn,” “Frankie and Finn Go to School,” and “See the Able, Not the Label.” Matthew also shares his personal journey with autism through a podcast called “Puzzle in Progress” that is available on Apple and Spotify Podcasts.