Autism advocate Daniel Giles has a message ahead of an event challenging the community to an #AWEtismRethink.
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“Focus on what the skills and talents people with autism have to offer.”
He and I Can Network Chief Enabling Officer Chris Varney will speak on Thursday at a Bendigo Autism Asperger Group event.
It would be a chance to hear from members of Australia’s first social enterprise founded by people with autism.
People with autism, parents, carers, teachers and health professionals were invited to attend.
Mr Giles was an I CAN ambassador who, at five-years-of-age, was classified as having an intellectual disability.
He was able to defy that label, graduating from university, living independently and gaining employment.
The graphic designer and photographer was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2017 for his tireless advocacy for people with disabilities.
On Thursday, Mr Giles planned to share his life story and talk about the support networks that had allowed him to succeed.
He said those networks had helped instill and maintain a positive attitude.
“It’s worked to extend me and, on the whole, helped me reach my full potential. We all need support from time to time,” Mr Giles said.
“It’s worth emphasising that people with autism can be a support in other people’s lives, too.”
Mr Giles said it was an empowering time for people with autism, but there was still a long way to go.
Statistics from from Amaze showed only four per cent of people with autism or families agreed that those in the community knew how to support them.
“But anecdotally, I believe the voice of people with autism is being heard more. People with autism – and I feel this from personal experience – are becoming more empowered,” Mr Giles said.
BAAG committee member Fiona Dower said events like the one happening Thursday were vital to give health professionals, carers and the general public an understanding of what it was like to have autism.
“It helps give people understanding and strategies to work with people on the spectrum,” she said.
The free #AWEtismRethink event will take place on Thursday from 9:30am to 1pm at 757 McIvor Road, Junortoun.
Registration prior to the free event would not be necessary.
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
