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Autism Awareness Course

Aaron

Hi to you all 

I have been referred for an Autism assessment.

Due to mental health problems I have been attending Zoom meetings with a local NHS project.  They are in the process of creating a six week Autism awareness course. They have asked people including those diagnosed or on a waiting list or parents to help contribute or co-produce the course.  I have offered to help. I have thought and looked stuff up and considering stuff: the best way to explain Autism, the good aspects of it, the struggles people have to face. I thought to myself well why not ask you guys to get a broader picture. So hey you guys what would you think/feel the best things would be to include in an Autism Awareness Course. What would you yourselves like to be brought up. Also what would be best if there will be a mix of people.

It is good that they are creating this course in order to expand knowledge and that it will seek the views of people with lived experience.

Parents

  • Thanks for asking for input, it is really promising that they are asking for autistic input.

    The really important equation- Autism + Environment = Outcome. You can always change the environment in some way to suit the autistic person.

    1.Being autistic is very different from the description of autism.
    2. Autism is a form of neurodivergence, so much of the autistic experience is very internal.
    3. Autistic people are passionate people who are very sensitive, so our interests are more than just interests they are integral to our wellbeing and identity. 

    4. We communicate and feel differently, we are literal and honest communicators. Stimming is beautiful and very much part of the autistic communication style. Please communicate clearly, vague communication can cause unnecessary anxiety.

    5. Please use identity first language - autistic people vs people with autism. Autistic describes our neurology, community and culture.

    6. Everything at it’s core is related to sensory experience. Our differences in sensory experience can mean we notice details that other people do not.

    7. We feel intensely, our emotions can be overwhelming both positively and negatively. This is why stimming is important.

    8. Meltdowns and shutdowns are involuntary responses to our nervous system being overloaded by an unsuitable environment. These responses are not part of being autistic, but a natural response to a stressful environment. Please help us feel calm and safe.

    9. Many autistic people mask. Please be aware that what you see is not necessarily how we truly feel.

    10. Routine, predictability and sameness is very important for us to feel safe and in control. Uncertainty and changes can therefore cause us unbearable anxiety.

    11. We hyper focus and this means we can be very productive.

    12. Being autistic means we are different and that is really cool.

     I hope this is ok, I could add more but I would be writing for ages.

  • in reply to Ausomely Autistic

    Just another thought. The Māori word for autism is translated as ‘in his or her own time and space.’

    This is so accurate, I love it.

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