Autism Awareness Course

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.

You are welcome. How detailed will the training be because some of the topics you mention are quite complex?

Aaron said:

I was thinking of including issues such as huge prevalence of mental illness, suicide rates, comorbid physical illness, unemployment etc

Aaron said:

I wondered as well if to provide an introduction to what autism is would it be good to include a visual representation for example that created by Rebecca Burgess a freelance comic artist and Autistic advocate  on the Art-Of-Autism site. It is a bit childlike but friendly. Good for a zoom presentation?

Yes it is really important to include this. Most non autistic people think of a linear spectrum but the diversity of autistic experience is more like a colour wheel, similar to the one Rebecca Burgess created.

It is really important to emphasise that being autistic is a different way of being human, so everyone has their own profile of strengths and weaknesses, some of which are more common in autistic people like hyper focus. I think the spiky profile should be also be explained. 

Also it is really important to emphasise the benefits of embracing neurodiversity both for the autistic person themselves and the people that support them.

You are welcome. How detailed will the training be because some of the topics you mention are quite complex?

Aaron said:

I was thinking of including issues such as huge prevalence of mental illness, suicide rates, comorbid physical illness, unemployment etc

Aaron said:

I wondered as well if to provide an introduction to what autism is would it be good to include a visual representation for example that created by Rebecca Burgess a freelance comic artist and Autistic advocate  on the Art-Of-Autism site. It is a bit childlike but friendly. Good for a zoom presentation?

Yes it is really important to include this. Most non autistic people think of a linear spectrum but the diversity of autistic experience is more like a colour wheel, similar to the one Rebecca Burgess created.

It is really important to emphasise that being autistic is a different way of being human, so everyone has their own profile of strengths and weaknesses, some of which are more common in autistic people like hyper focus. I think the spiky profile should be also be explained. 

Also it is really important to emphasise the benefits of embracing neurodiversity both for the autistic person themselves and the people that support them.

I am glad to hear the meeting went well, that’s really promising. You are very welcome, I will always be happy to contribute in situations like this, I am very passionate about educating on autistic experience.

Hi there just to let you know the first session went well and I read out your ideas and they were well received thanks.

You are welcome, I hope it is useful and the meeting goes well.

Hi yes I agree that is why I am asking help here. Because we are human and individuals, what do we include and what do we leave out? The first intitial meet to discuss stuff is this afternoon. I have printed your stuff and will use it. Bit nervous but see how it goes.  Thanks

You can’t possibly cover the complexity and diversity of autistic experience in an introductory course, after all it is almost like explaining what it means to be human. Therefore, I think the course should be focused on key points from the autistic community about autistic experience, then also include guidance on how to support us.

Hi how detailed the training should be is perhaps one of the things that need to be balanced. To me it creates dilemmas as to what to include and leave out especially as people have different understandings and at different stages of a journey.   I am reading a chapter in a book by Lisa Bortolotti she is a philosopher and the book is The Philosophy Of Psychology with a chapter on Autism.  I do not think it would be good to go that far on an initial awareness course. However further on add a couple of items as to results of research but not too many. Then also include sources such as YouTube talkers on the spectrum and oh! of course this Autism forum etc. To expand the social possibilities. 

Perhaps mostly people oriented with a bit of academia.

you mention spiky skills profile. Yes a good one. I like it as it really applies to me lol!