LOCAL LIFE
Make A Difference : Autism Awareness Day
by Lorna Gordon
April 2 is Autism Awareness Day , which was first sanctioned by the United Nations in 2007 . Many of us have ideas about what autism is or isn ’ t and how it affects people that might not be correct , so let ’ s celebrate this day by gaining a better understanding about it .
Autism is a lifelong neurological condition which can affect how people think , view and experience their environment and how they interact with other people . Like everyone else , autistic people are all different , which is often referred to as the autistic spectrum , but one thing they do have in common are the challenges they face with social interactions , sensory issues , displaying emotions or the way they think .
If you are autistic you might struggle with understanding social cues , you could find places like supermarkets overwhelming as they have bright lights , music and a lot of visual displays . You may hyperfocus on one thing for a long period of time and find it hard to change what you are working on or watching , and you enjoy the certainty of having a routine at home , work or school .
Now you know what autism can be , let ’ s bust some myths about autism isn ’ t . Firstly , autism is not caused by vaccinations or the result of ‘ bad ’ parenting , it ’ s simply a brain that is differently wired to the typical brain .
Autistic people are not like ‘ Rain Man ’, who was a savant , someone who has an exceptional ability in one area . However , many autistic people have areas of special interest and tend to soak up information related to them because they find is fascinating and enjoy it . The last myth I want to bust is that autism can ’ t be cured , it ’ s not an illness or disease , it ’ s a different way of thinking and perceiving the world .
The variety of ways autism presents through the autistic spectrum means that you may not even be aware that a person has autism , some people with autism lead fairly typical lives with minimal to no support , only needing minor accommodations to help them . Other people face a higher level of challenges and need more substantial support from carers at home , school or work .
Some autistic people are incredibly clever or talented and have used their incredible brains to make huge changes in our world , entertain us or advocate for the less able , think Albert Einstein , Anthony Hopkins the actor , or the inventor of Pokémon , Satorshi Tajiri .
Both children and adults can be diagnosed as autistic . If you think that you or your child may be autistic , your first stop should be your GP to get further information and a referral to a specialist who can help with assessment . If you are interested in reading more about autism , then Autism Awareness Australia and Aspect have some great online resources . Locally , you can check out Fit Kidz Foundation ( which is changing its name to Stronger Together Foundation ) which does amazing work with children and families .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 106 // APRIL 2024 11