Born: 1985
Julie Dachez (French pronunciation: [ʒyli daʃe]; born 5 February 1985) is a French social psychologist, lecturer, and autism rights activist. She is the author of Invisible Differences and Dans ta bulle! (In Your Bubble!). Dachez made history in 2016 as the first openly autistic person to defend a thesis on autism in France.
Dachez began her educational journey by attending a business school and working in the private sector for four years. However, in 2012, her life took a different direction when she was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at an Autism Resource Center. This diagnosis became a turning point for Dachez as she embarked on a journey to understand and advocate for autism.
Motivated by her personal experiences, Dachez started a blog, created YouTube videos, and enrolled in a doctoral program in social psychology focused on autism. Her dedication to the subject led to her groundbreaking achievement in 2016 when she defended her thesis, titled Envisager l’autisme autrement: une approche psychosociale (Seeing Autism Differently: A Psychosocial Approach). Her achievement as the first openly autistic person to defend a thesis on autism in France garnered attention and challenged societal perceptions of autism.
Dachez holds a unique perspective on autism, viewing it as a difference in functioning pathologized by a society obsessed with normality. She emphasizes the social and non-medical aspects of autism, highlighting the stigmatization and discrimination faced by autistic individuals. Dachez believes that her own struggles arise more from societal prejudices and the inadequate support structures than from her own autism.
Another aspect of Dachez’s work focuses on the intersection of autism and gender. She describes autism in women as a double sentence due to the challenges associated with the subtle manifestations of autism in women. The diagnostic criteria for autism were primarily developed based on male diagnoses, leading to potential diagnostic errors in women. Dachez also criticizes the lack of knowledge about autism, particularly Asperger’s syndrome in women, in France.
In addition to her advocacy work, Dachez has published two books on autism. La Différence invisible (released as Invisible Differences in English) is an autobiographical comic co-written with Mademoiselle Caroline. It received praise for its didactical value, narrative, and aesthetic treatment. Her second book, Dans ta bulle! (In Your Bubble), presents essays and narratives that share the experiences of several autistic adults without intellectual disabilities.
Dachez is active as a lecturer, educating others on autism and combating prejudice associated with autism. She has been a speaker at the World Autism Awareness Day in both 2018 and 2019. In 2019, she furthered her involvement by participating in PEP 12 (Pupils in Public Education) for the event.
Overall, Julie Dachez has made significant contributions to the field of autism advocacy and awareness, challenging societal norms and promoting acceptance for individuals on the autism spectrum. Through her research, writing, and public speaking engagements, she strives to redefine perceptions of autism and enhance the inclusion and support of autistic individuals in society.