The PBJ Ethic: Reimagining Self-Care and Community Connection
Cultural Autism Studies at Yale (CASY, ethnography project led by Dr. Dawn Prince-Hughes) is delighted to welcome Dr. Adam “Dutch” Hazlett on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 12pm EDT (11am CDT, 9am PDT, 4pm GMT, 5pm BST, 6pm CEST). There is no cost to attend, and international participants are welcome. RSVP online though our free Meetup group https://www.meetup.com/projectcasy/events/314138277/
NEW: Free access now available through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986775401709/
TITLE: The PBJ Ethic: Reimagining Self-Care and Community Connection
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Adam “Dutch” Hazlett brings together his lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic professor with his scholarly work on micro-accommodations and universal design. He has been exploring the intersections of disability advocacy, relational ethics, and community care for more than two decades, unfolding the complexity of neurodivergence, identity, and belonging. His curiosity has shaped the PBJ Relational Ethic—Predictability/Patience, Balance, and Joy—as both a personal practice and a professional framework. In this presentation, Dutch explains how he has turned his own story into a trajectory of advocacy, emphasizing self-care and community connection as the foundations for human resilience and collective thriving.
BRIEF BIO: Dr. Adam “Dutch” Hazlett holds a Doctor of Arts in Humanities (2016), a Master of Arts in Humanities (2012), a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature (2002), and a Bachelor of Specialized Studies in Liberal Arts (2001). He also earned a Graduate Certificate in Disability Inclusion and Equitable Design (2022) and a Professional Certificate in Neurodiversity (2024). He is a professor of humanities, writer, and advocate whose recent scholarship centers on micro-accommodations, universal design, and neuro-affirming education. His work includes contributions to the Detroit News and national academic publications, alongside his public-facing project NACHOS: Neuro-Affirming Conversation Hour for Outreach and Support. He also serves as Public Relations Director for Self-Advocates of Michigan. Learn more at www.humanities101.org
ABOUT Cultural Autism Studies at Yale (CASY): An 'ethnography' is an exploration of how a group of people express themselves in a cultural way. Autistic people have a growing kind of culture, and each autistic experience is a vital part of it. Dr. Dawn Prince-Hughes is an anthropologist, ethnographer, primatologist, and author who is autistic. Join her for an exploration of the importance of autistic self-expression and the culture that grows from it. Those who wish to share their content are free to do so on our private Facebook groups, organically contributing to a growing autistic culture: CASY Cultural Autism Studies at Yale http://tinyurl.com/4ckbyut7 (recommended for autistic adults) and SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY FOR AUTISM http://tinyurl.com/mrxnxmnc (recommended for allies, professionals, and family members).
CREDITS: The preparation of this material was financed under an agreement with the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities (CTCDD). CASY Sparks membership and events are free. CASY Sparks is sponsored in part by The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adult Autism Research Fund, and Dr. Roger Jou https://www.youtube.com/c/DrRogerJou
𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒙 𝒅𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒀𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒆 https://tinyurl.com/supportcasy
Attending discussions like "The PBJ Ethic: Reimagining Self-Care and Community Connection" has deeply influenced my understanding of neurodiversity and community care. Dr. Adam “Dutch” Hazlett’s approach, focusing on predictability, patience, balance, and joy, resonates profoundly, especially for those of us navigating late autism diagnoses or related experiences. In my personal journey, micro-accommodations and universal design principles have been essential tools that align with the PBJ Ethic’s core. For instance, the predictability element helps reduce anxiety by creating structured environments, whether in classrooms, workplaces, or social settings. Patience fosters supportive relationships, where both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals can engage authentically without rushed judgments. Balance is crucial—the delicate harmony between self-care and community involvement cannot be overstated. Embracing joy within this context transforms routines into fulfilling practices rather than obligations. I’ve found that actively participating in communities, whether like CASY or local support groups, reinforces a sense of belonging while honoring individual needs. Moreover, the ethnographic perspective shared by Cultural Autism Studies at Yale highlights how autistic culture grows organically through self-expression and shared experiences. It’s inspiring to see how advocacy moves beyond policies into cultural enrichment and identity affirmation. This ethic has motivated me to advocate within my circles for more inclusion and to practice empathy-driven interactions. It underscores that thriving as neurodivergent individuals involves not just self-care but nurturing collective resilience through connection. If you’re exploring ways to enhance your well-being or support neurodivergent communities, engaging with concepts like PBJ Relational Ethic can offer a meaningful framework. Whether you are a professional, ally, family member, or someone with lived experience, this ethic invites openness to diverse expressions of care and identity.