Today marks World Autism Day. It is an opportunity to for everyone to learn a little bit more about Autism and to celebrate Autistic people in our families, schools, communities, and workplaces.
All over the world, Autism will trend on social media and many people will attend events and fundraisers in support of the autism community. It is hard to believe that it is not that long ago when many people were not aware of Autism, let alone thought they knew an Autistic person.
A growing awareness of Autism had led to more people receiving a diagnosis and today over 3% of children in our schools have been identified as being Autistic.
READ MORE: Christine McGuinness writes book to help kids cope with autism based on own challenges
As a result, most people can now point to Autistic people in their own lives or at very least can name people such as Greta Thunberg, Anthony Hopkins and, most recently, our own James McClean.
Those of us who are Autistic, grow up and live in a world not built with us in mind. Autistic people communicate, think and experience the world in an often very different way to most people. This can make aspects of day-to-day life overwhelming and stressful.
That said, being Autistic isn’t a list of things you find difficult. It is a part of your identity and is as much to do with your strengths, interests and unique way of thinking as it is the barriers that you face.
Autism is a spectrum and this means every person’s challenges and strengths will be different and recognises that some Autistic people live independently whilst others require very significant support right throughout their lives.
Unfortunately, accessing support when you are Autistic is far from easy. From getting an autism assessment through to securing a school place or the right supports as an adult is a constant, uphill battle. This failure by the State to provide support when it is needed leads to Autistic people being left behind by society and it means that society loses out on the contributions of many people within our community.
So what is it like to be an Autistic person in Ireland in 2023? We asked over 1,600 Autistic people and family members in advance of the month. The picture they have helped us to paint is a stark one. 91% believed being Autistic was a barrier to making friends, 38% have experienced discrimination in the last 12 months, over 86% felt they did not have the same chance in Irish society.
The strange thing is that to get an Autism diagnosis you don’t have to be lonely or mistreated or discriminated against. That is not part of the criteria. Sadly it is the lives Autistic people are living in society but it does not have to be.
Autistic people don’t look different to anyone else and the stigma means many of us won’t even tell you we are Autistic. We adapt everyday to try to manage in a society that often just doesn’t get it. We need to become a kinder society that accepts people “as they are”.
Its great to see that we have become a country that is aware of Autism but I will be prouder when we are a country that gives Autistic people the same chance. We all have a part to play.
This Autism Month follow our #SameChance campaign to learn about the small changes you can make to reach out and include Autistic people in your community.
To learn more about the SameChance campaign visit asiam.ie. AsIAm operates an Autism Information Line (Mon-Thurs, 10am-3pm on 1800 234 234 / support@asiam.ie.
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