Richard Tambwe Shares His Vision of Hope and Autism

Welcome to Pennsylvania. What brings you to Pittsburgh?

I have been living in Pittsburgh since 2021 (in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic). I am a PhD student at Duquesne University and I am already finishing my program in the Theology Department. Not only does my Christian faith in God encourage me to serve others, but also my area of studies sharpens my social awareness and inspires me to practice my faith by “creating beauty” for social justice. Indeed, there is an intrinsic link between beauty, love, justice, and peace that can be explored ad infinitum.

Why is autism an important topic for you?

Autism is an important topic for me because I am the father to a soon seven-year-old boy who was diagnosed with ASD a few years ago. I am still gradually learning about it and slowly seeing things differently in the line of Rick Guidotti’s “change how you see, and see how you change” (Positive Exposure). For example, when I started seeing my child’s ASD (oftentimes emphasized through the aspect of “disorder”) as a “disability for him,” that is, a limiting condition for him, not a “burden for me or for his mother or the wider society,” I started focusing on him and only him, than on anyone or anything else. This helped me avoid many noises and allowed me to see many other things, including the beauty of the mosaic of life and humanity, in which each one of us has their role to play. As a believer, I am convinced there is a reason why God sent my son with the ASD condition and it is my duty to help him lead a full and happy life, and fulfill all his potential.

You have a vision about hope, learning and resources. Can you share that vision with us?

Here is what I have in mind:

Perception of Disability

The perception of disability, be it physical or mental, is perhaps not the same between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the country where I come from, and here in the USA: is there a way to help Congolese refugees arriving here not to feel embarrassed if they have a disability or know of a family member who needs help in this sense? The aim would then be to reassure them and show them that each individual is a gift that adds to the mosaic of the whole human community (every difference deserves to be celebrated, not stifled or annihilated or stigmatized).

Taking Perspective from the Disability Community

As is the case all over the world and perhaps even more so in DRC, where culture sometimes leads people to believe that the origin of any disability is witchcraft or curse, isn’t it important to educate people to approach disability from the point of view of disabled people themselves and for them, rather than from the point of view of society and its general standards? The aim here is to see the people concerned as having a “disability,” not being one themselves, i.e. they suffer from a limiting condition (physical or mental); they are not the ones inflicting suffering on society. They are the ones to be put at the center, considering everything from their point of view (movements, senses, activities, and so forth) and not from society’s great number.

Changing the Narrative

The disabled person is perceived as “different,” not as abnormal or as a stumbling block, a gene, and an embarrassment from the point of view of the majority. They have “difficulties in forming and maintaining social relationships, by impairment of the ability to communicate verbally or nonverbally, and by repetitive behavior patterns and restricted interests and activities” (Merriam-Webster), and not the other way around, where the majority would see them as incapable, lazy, incomplete, lesser, abnormal, etc., as if they were responsible for the limitation they suffer from… They are the ones experiencing “social isolation;” perhaps they are the ones who are disturbed by our inquisitive gaze and not the other way around description as “lack of eye contact.” Educating people with such an awareness is irreplaceable.

Learning from People with Lived Experience

In the case of autism, for example, many parents and relatives are often at a loss, and many of their questions (often unformulated) remain unanswered. Shouldn’t we be a step ahead of them, considering the experience of others who have gone through the same thing, while recognizing that every case is unique, and pointing out resources for certain answers that are already known?

Hope and Encouragement

Wouldn’t there be more impact and positive results if all this were done in a relaxed way, emphasizing aspects of hope rather than despair or fear, joy rather than sadness, possibilities rather than limitations, and so forth? The aim is to reassure the family members of the person living with autism that their child is a person with enormous potential, just like any other child, provided they get an education appropriate to their condition.

Much of what you talk about requires people to change the way they perceive autistic people. Part of that requires empathy and new patterns of thought. What are some ways we can achieve this?

A practical way of doing this could be sharing videos, TikTok posts, art products or production (photos, paintings, music, etc.), Internet links, resources, and so forth, all in an informal, relaxed and pleasant way, while also providing useful information. For example, if I had to recommend the American comedy-drama series “Monk”[1] On Netflix, assuming that the “obsessive-compulsive disorder” of the main character qualifies as ASD, I would have pointed out that Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) is a good example of a successful integration of an individual with disability in the smooth running of a city. But this does not prevent us from grasping the different challenges facing Monk and his entourage throughout the episodes.

Here are just a few examples:

  • Monk’s apparent lack of empathy
  • his phobia of germs
  • his obsession with the idealized image of his late wife Trudy Elliot Monk

Is Monk’s “absence of empathy” or “germ phobia” a problem for him or for the larger society? Isn’t it true that, once Monk is known as such, something else is expected of him (namely, solving homicide’s mysteries with the help of his assistants and colleagues) and not his sympathy or sociability?

Everybody loves Monk’s efficiency, while abhorring his sociability. Nevertheless, whether it is Sharona Fleming (Britty Schram) or Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard), Adrian Monk’s assistants and fellow cops, they all manage to discover his qualities, understand him and, frankly, love him, all the while keeping him involved in the running of the San Francisco Police Department’s task force dealing with homicides. Besides, Monk’s unconditional love for Trudy (even after she dies) is a model of a lifetime engagement of love.

Inspired by this tragicomic series and the way it is perceived by the audience watching it, and placing Monk at the center, I wonder if it can serve as an example for thinking about policy and advocacy for people living with the disability of autism in the US. It is not a question of charity, which should be left to the religious sphere, but of justice and common sense of give-and-take that govern interactions in a civilized society.


[1] Andy Breckman (Creator), Monk [Comedy Drama Series] (2002-2009), Mandeville Films, Touchstone Television, and Universal Cable Productions.


Autism Connection of Pennsylvania thanks Richard for sharing his vision. A simplified version of the interview is below. 

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IGIA Movement for Health Visits Autism Connection of PA

IGIA Movement for Health is well known in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for its innovative approach that incorporates various somatic practices like yoga, meditation, Hanna Somatics®, and dance to tap into the power of internal movement, stimulate new neural pathways, and improve the mind’s regulation of posture and emotions.

For the autism community, sensory overload and difficulty with interoception can interfere with the ability to recognize and manage emotions, so Autism Connection of PA was ecstatic to be invited to host IGIA Movement for Health for three pilot movement workshops. Three Rivers Community Care is also hosting a class on August 12th.

Care practitioner and IGIA Co-founder, Gia Cacalano, leads the Master Classes, taking cues from attendees to form her approach. IGIA movement practices can be done both seated and standing, they’re accessible, and no two classes are exactly alike. Co-founder and CEO, Harris Farris quietly participated in the first pilot class along with a small group. One autistic participant shares her experience with the class, and encourages others to attend.

Experiencing IGIA for Movement Master Class

I honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect, which can be a great source of anxiety. It was hot outside, and even though it was only 10:15 in the morning, I was already feeling overwhelmed with sensory overload. At least I think that’s what it was. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify what is going on with me, both physically and emotionally. I also realized that I had lost track of time and was running late.

The room was open and large with soft lighting. The instructor, Gia, was welcoming, the number of people in the class was small, and I had a great sense that I could just be myself. Gia explained that there is no wrong way to do the movements, and described how each movement affects the body.

  • Relaxes the nervous system
  • Spatial awareness in the environment
  • Internal spatial awareness – how I moved and how those movements related to how I was feeling
  • Observational rather than judgmental – no worries about being right or wrong, just noticing
  • Feeling less self-conscious – less resistance to trying something new
  • Sense of calm

Video: Harris Ferris demonstrates some simple movements


I recognized some of the movements and I thought, “Hey! These stem from stims!” Self stimulatory behaviors (or self-regulating behaviors) often serve a purpose, and I was perfectly happy to do some hand flapping that transformed into more delicate movements. It turns out that flapping and jumping ignites the lymphatic system, and can improve the immune system. 

Visual stims were also weaved into the movements. We worked on eye tracking along with slow, intentional head movements that seemed to broaden my peripheral sight. I was able to take in the entire room visually rather than focusing on specific elements. 

“Rocking is a controlled fall,” the instructor said. This statement stuck with me because I usually fight the urge to rock back and forth to calm myself. The slow, intentional rocking movements were among my favorites, and it was especially helpful to know that we were working on balance along with body awareness. 

Time passed quickly in the movement class, and even though there was no rigid structure, the instructor came full circle and this helped me recognize that the session was coming to a close soon. We began and ended with foot movements, gradually rocking to a standing position. 

I felt grounded and calm after the session, and I continued to notice when my muscles (especially in the shoulders) were getting tight throughout the rest of the day. I can see how practices from the movement class could help me regulate emotions after sensory overload, or when I struggle with interoception (during times when I feel disconnected from what I’m feeling, whether an emotion or hunger, fatigue or thirst). 

This was the first of three sessions, and they are off to a great start.


Gia notes that “even simply being present in the room–just observing and breathing–changes the dynamic. Even if someone showed up and just focused on breathing, that would be a complete session.”

If you want to learn more about IGIA for Movement Master Class, please visit IGIA Movement for Health

To participate in upcoming classes August 10th and 12th register here.


Disability is Not a Crime Training in Lock Haven Pennsylvania

We were thrilled to visit and teach new friends from the first responder community in and around Lock Haven, PA this past week. We listened to our audience’s experiences and training goals, learned how tremendously professional and caring they are in their work, then launched into delivering “Disability is Not a Crime” content.

Everyone in the room had autism or an autistic relative, and one learner manages two autistic employees, so engagement was high. The conversation was so fantastic we stayed well past the end time of 9:00pm, thinking of creative ways to support autistic people in emergency situations.

Blending an autistic presenter (who is an EMT) and a non-autistic trainer seems to help people feel comfortable asking questions no matter their personal experience. We left feeling a little sad that we don’t live closer to experience their beautiful area and work together more to support folks with disabilities in the region.

Huge thanks to Goodwill Hose Company Ambulance Association for hosting us! And thank you to the attendees for sharing stories of finding missing persons who wander (some multiple times), supporting autistic people in car accident responses, and for telling us a few rattlesnake stories we don’t often get to hear!


Since we were at an EMS base for the training, we had the opportunity to take some photos of equipment. We will be using the images to help people understand what to expect in emergency situations in an ambulance. People may be safer if they know a little more about what to expect when they are sick or injured. Believe it  or not, it is not uncommon for people to be arrested and charged for fear-based behaviors they may have during emergency situations, when they are injured or sick on the scene, or in an emergency room. 

Skylar stretcher infographic

Demonstrating how safety belts work
Monitor and thermometer

What you may see in an ambulance lights and equipment

This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.


Introduction to Autism

Introduction to Autism
Tuesday, August 27
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Learn the basics about autism, and get some take-home tips, from people who understand and have worked in this field for 20+ years.
We will explain the details about autism and how brain differences help shape personality, likes, dislikes, fears, eating, sleeping, the senses, and communication. Please come and ask your questions, meet others with similar concerns and learn what to do at home and in the community!
This is a free online workshop, but registration is required. Register Here!

Introduction to Autism Virtual Workshop

Introduction to Autism
Wednesday, June 26
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Getting any new diagnosis comes with the need to understand it. Learn the basics about autism, and get some take-home tips, from people who understand and have worked in this field for 20+ years.
We will explain the details about autism and how brain differences help shape personality, likes, dislikes, fears, eating, sleeping, the senses, and communication. Please come and ask your questions, meet others with similar concerns and learn what to do at home and in the community!
This is a free workshop, but pre-registration is required.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Sensory Friendly Evening: Camp Out

Sensory Friendly Evening: Camp Out
Friday, June 14
6:00-9:00 p.m.

Head to Carnegie Museum of Natural History for a sensory-supportive evening campout, no sleeping bag or tent required! Read seasonal stories around the faux campfire and explore nighttime nature with some live animal ambassadors. Museum galleries will reopen for this event after the museum has closed to the general public and will have reduced audio/visual elements, and calming spaces with support materials.

Visit the Carnegie Museum of Natural History website for more information!