Marisa Hamamoto is the first professional dancer named in People Magazine's “Women Changing the World.” A leading authority on disability inclusion and building a culture of belonging, Marisa was recently named LinkedIn Top Voice, and has been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Today, Forbes, Fast Company, amongst other media outlets. As a sought-after international speaker and performing artist, Marisa has shared the stage with Tim Cook at Apple HQ’s Steve Jobs Theater, and her clients and partners include Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Red Bull, Deloitte, adidas, PayPal, Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permenente, among other forward-thinking brands. Marisa is a stroke survivor, a late-diagnosed Autistic, and a proud fourth-generation Japanese American. She is the founder of Infinite Flow, an award-winning dance company and nonprofit that leads a global movement advancing disability inclusion, one dance at a time.

Marisa, wearing a red jumpsuit, is standing with her hands on her hips and smiling

Navigating Autism as an Asian American

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Written by Marisa Hamamoto It’s Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! AANHPI Heritage Month is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the remarkable role of the AANHPI community in our nation’s history, and also reflect on challenges we face, including experiences of families navigating autism within our cultures.   Recent data highlights…

Marisa is smiling wearing a pink suit jacket

Special Interests and Wellbeing

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Written by Marisa Hamamoto Autistic special interests are intensely focused activities, topics, or hobbies pursued with immense dedication by autistic individuals. While neurotypical individuals might also have focused interests, the depth of engagement for autistic individuals often results in these interests dominating their thoughts and sometimes appearing as extreme obsessions. Special interests among autistic individuals…

Autism Language guide. Image of hands typing with words above: person with autism, neurodiversity, unique strengths/skills, communication preferences, neurodivergent, access needs, autistic person

Autism Language Guidelines

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Written by Marisa Hamamoto Quoting Reverend Desmond Tutu, “Language does not just describe reality. Language creates the reality it describes.”  Language evolves, as culture and society evolve. As we learn more about autism, we realize the importance of using words that respect everyone’s unique experience. Changing how we talk about autism helps everyone feel included…