Increasing Autism Awareness?

Alien0n3arth said:

Paul Michalleff in his channel "Autism from the inside".

Is this on YouTube and is it worth watching?xx

Billboard or Bell board? As a bellringer, I have tried to get to ring a quarter peal in autism acceptance week, when this has coincided with quarter peal weeks. The nearest I got was the simplest role possible ten days too late. The District President of our diocesan association (I am a member of 26 years and perfectly competent) explained autism- "sort yourself out/not man enough." My need to wear a hat owing to sensory issues is "the height of bad manners." As for my local church, words fail me.

We need a character on BBC Radio 4 "The Archers.".  I would suggest Brad Horribyn.  

I think it's worrying that future professional are believing and/or being taught that being autistic isn't a problem, you're example is a good one, how did she react to it? Did she give any reasoning of why she believes such a thing?

Thank You - I didn’t know about these two! Xx

Sia, Bella Ramsey 

This is such a great idea!

Alien0n3arth said:

But many psychologists say, it's not a problem.

Not a problem for them, maybe, but it is if you have to live with it day to day. But I find arguing with people exhausting so it's easier to walk away. School and workplace bullying cannot be ignored - if you do that, the bullies think they have a license to continue, yet reporting it is fraught with problems, especially if the bully is your boss. 

I just saw members of the Royal Family on the news and if they were to be diagnosed, I wonder if they would make it public as I think that would definitely increase autism awareness.xx

It's actually not only my observation,  I also heard that from Paul Michalleff in his channel "Autism from the inside". Recently I saw a video where he announced that he decided to quit his activity on YouTube due to personal reasons. 

I think that people need to be more aware that April is Autism Awareness Month as I only knew that it was from social media, however I have an idea of increasing Autism Awareness through marketing such as advertising it on Billboards and Bus Stops but this might be too costly.

What do you all think about that? Xx

You're observation "I don't suffer because of myself being different, but because how I get treated by others." is brilliant and it may have to go on the whiteboard in the kitchen!

Whilst the general population should be better educated, perhaps it is better they are not until the experts are and act accordingly. These are not people with lack of education or so old that it was ok to treat someone disabled badly because that's the way it was.

I'm pretty sure my current Doctor actively tries to antagonise. Not that all medical professionals are bad, I think my last two opticians in particular have been brilliant.

Yes and it amazes me that I received this advice from someone studying a psychology. She says "being different is not a problem". Then I gave her examples of how much problematic it can be. I told her I don't suffer because of myself being different,  but because how I get treated by others. She used to bully me herself with her friends at school when we were teens. The 'weirdo' has it harder, harder toget a good job, to find friends etc. And higher risk of depression,  anxiety,  su*cide. It's amazing, how a future professional can't see it. Once I already heard from a psychiatrist,  that my problems are not problems. So I decided to quit these sessions and not waste mine and her time. She made me question myself a lot and feeling like a total idiot. It was few years ago 

I agree with you, it's very astute to say it's possible to ignore in passing but yes in a work place/school/place you can't escape, it's not possible, it's terrible advice to say ignore it as it has long lasting effects on you.

When listening to a podcast, two professionals now diagnosed themselves were saying it's just not taught at all in psychology, or what is is basic and it's only if someone follows it up with further research do that learn more. So yes, better base knowledge in professionals is needed, especially as harm can happen from treating someone who is neurodivergent wrongly.

Alien0n3arth said:

just ignoring bullying at a place, like work or school it's a sign for the perpetrator that it's allowed and ok. 

Very true. It's hard but you have to face them down.

I had a discussion today with my sister, who studies psychology,  about issues related to autism. I had to be careful to not mention this word itself. She agrees,  that I've always been weird and different. And she said, that just being weird and different I'd not an issue and shouldn't be taken as a reason for diagnosis.  Ok, well if it's just little weirdness,  that does not cause problems,  then it's OK. But in many cases it's not just little weirdness. Individuals who are the "weird" and different ones ate often more vulnerable to all sort of Mobbing abuse, have less chance to find a good job despite good qualifications, or have friends/relationship. So the so called "little weirdness" may affect the quality of someone's life significantly. But many psychologists say, it's not a problem. And when I mentioned bullying and harassment she just said "ignore it". Maybe I can just ignore a stranger in a street if they don't follow me or pose no danger for me, but just ignoring bullying at a place, like work or school it's a sign for the perpetrator that it's allowed and ok. 

So I think, that the awareness about autism (and other conditions) should be spread amongst professionals first. My sister is an example of someone who wouldn't consider a problem unless it's banging head off of a wall. Which I used to do during my meltdowns years ago, but she doesn't know that, because I mastered self control and learned to avoid the worst.

I agree. 
I know anxiety is a very common co-existing condition alongside autism. 
I think the holistic approach needs looking at definitely.

This is why awareness needs to be increased.xx

Thats what I found, when I was diagnosed, the 'oh well you've coped for the last 50 years, so you don't need any help'.

There could be so much more help and just the space to talk things through on a practicle level, like why so many autistic people struggle with work and how being self employed can be such a better option. I wish there was more awareness among doctors that autistic people need tailored counselling, not bog standard CBT, mind you I think bog standard CBT is a good fit for many people and is used a plaster. I think we should be assessed for the physical things that often go with autism, like dyspraxia, joint hypermobility and IBS. 

Above all else it bring the need for an holistic approach into stark reality, mind you I think the whole of health care should have an holistic approach as the norm rather than the exception

Yes, a child and parent situation would work really well, they could use flashbacks to when the parent was at school and told not to be fussy or fidget and compare it to modern schooling and the child’s journey.

The adult being told by a GP that they can’t be autistic because they  cope too well, when in truth they  have adapted heavily and been left exhausted. 
How the workplace seems so much harder once you realise you are autistic. It could be followed for up to a year. It could start in one autism awareness month and finish in the following awareness month a year later. There are so many avenues, but it would have to be authentic, including the horrible bits.

Thanks Olivia!
I’m glad that you like my post and thank you for sharing the link. 
Let’s keep spreading Autism Acceptance and Awareness!!xx