World Autism Awareness Week 2023
World Autism Acceptance Week aims to help people understand exactly what autism is and how it affects people. To raise awareness of autism, we have asked some of our autistic students to share their experiences with autism and what they wish people knew about it.
Moses
My autism has given me many advantages such as being creative, imaginative and tactical. I am really proud to have these qualities as they have brought me to where I am now, studying Audio production & Music Technologies, which I love.
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Autism doesn’t define who I am as a person.
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I do find some social settings challenging, but am able to chat and interact normally most of the times.
On the other hand, autism brings its challenges, such as being easily distracted and anxiety. I have had many moments in my life where these have become problems and can seem unbeatable. With help, I am working to adapt myself around them, which I am patiently working to improve on over time.
Anonymous Student
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I want people to understand that some people with a neurodivergent disorder such as autism say things that are factually true or correct but may not be what you want to hear.
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Or they say something and don’t realise what the issue was even when someone explains it.
Sometimes people with a neurodiverse disorder also might not know what to say or when they say something they speak quietly. They may want to be heard but hold themselves back from talking again or speaking up too loudly.
Rhia
Autism is not easy. Autism sucks, sometimes. But also, it is who we are. It’s how we see the world and I think that sometimes, despite the bad, it is beautiful.
I want other autistic people to know that you’re ok just the way you are. I wish I could say you don’t need to change for others, but unfortunately in this world, a lot of the time it’s the only way we can survive. But if you get tired, and can’t continue to mask anymore, that’s ok. It’s ok to take a break.
I hope you never feel like you’re too much for other people. Having special interests and being passionate is something to be so very proud of.
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You’re allowed to be proud to be autistic.
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Anonymous Student
Through my life, my friends and family have encouraged me to see the positives of autism, such as some people with autism having more empathy, being honest or having increased knowledge in one particular area. They also encouraged me to see that I can still make a difference within the area of my choice, such as getting a job within education.
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And this has continued at university, where I have met tutors and colleagues so understanding and who have inspired and encouraged me to keep going.
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I have also been able to develop amazing friends for life because everyone is very understanding and see me as one of the group.
Mollie
As a dancer, I do tend to communicate through gesture to assist my communication. Without dance, I would struggle even more with communication. It provides me with a safe space to express and be free without the need for verbal communication. I pore my heart and soul into it and when dancing I forget that I have a disability. Mine is hidden, which is much harder to identify signs of struggle, confusion and not being okay. To look at me you would think does she really have a disability? I tend to always look happy and smiley as I want others to see my bubbly, fun and unique personality. When I remove my mask, it puts me in a more vulnerable position. Think of it like living inside a cage or having security gates around your house. I remain inside my balloon, do not burst that balloon or I may come tumbling down. Autism is a constant change in emotions, one minute fine and the next minute the gun trigger is pulled…
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Autistic people are unpredictable, which I believe makes them interesting.
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We do not announce shutdown about to happen, it just does not work this way. I experience sudden reactions; I will feel okay then later be passed out on the floor due to overstimulation. I explored the feeling of going from ‘one extreme to another’ in my recent choreographic work and this is exactly what I am describing here.
