{"id":662,"date":"2019-04-07T12:36:49","date_gmt":"2019-04-07T12:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sunflowercognitivetherapies.co.uk\/?p=662"},"modified":"2021-06-11T20:12:20","modified_gmt":"2021-06-11T20:12:20","slug":"autism-awareness-week-time-to-understand-reflect-and-celebrate-autism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunflowercognitivetherapies.co.uk\/?p=662","title":{"rendered":"Autism Awareness Week \u2013 Time to understand, reflect and celebrate Autism!"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]World Autism Awareness week is here!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1st \u2013 7th April marked National Autism Awareness Week, a time dedicated to increase the knowledge and understanding of Autism.\u202f Alongside this, it is a perfect time to celebrate all the wonderful work that people do around the world to support people of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorder (<\/span>ASD<\/span>) their families and carers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding Autism<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the United Kingdom, around 1 in 100 people have Autism, this equates to about 700,000 people.\u202f Due to the ever growing population of people being diagnosed, this figure can never be 100% accurate.\u202f If we were to consider Autism in the wider\u00a0<\/span>context of the family, a staggering 2.8 million people\u2019s lives are impacted by Autism.\u202f(<\/span>National Autistic Society)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the correct help and support, people with Autism and their families can lead normal lives however for a lot of young people, adults and their families living with Autism, it can be a very isolating and lonely place.\u202f Even though work is being carried out to help people have a greater understanding of Autism, there is still further work to be done in order to create a more inclusive society.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common mistaken messages\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you ever been asked a question, something that you think you know the answer to however are not quite sure if the answer is in fact correct?\u202f Equally when you know something albeit are not quite sure how best to explain it, this can leave you feeling frustrated and a little lost for words\u2026 ?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Confusion and uncertainty can create a whole range of problems; people are misinformed of the facts, they too are unable to understand. More often than not, leaving with more questions than answers!\u202f This is something which we all will experience at different times in our lives, for some more than others.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u202fPeople with Autism\u00a0<\/span>can not<\/span>\u00a0communicate with others.\u202f Autism is a spectrum so whilst some people are unable to talk or possibly express their needs, others can do this so well they learn to mask their disorder.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Autism is still often mistaken as being a mental health disorder when it is in fact a neuro-developmental condition.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u202fAutism is a\u00a0<\/span>life long<\/span>\u00a0condition and not something that will go with time.\u202f There is no cure for ASD however this does\u00a0<\/span>not mean that with the right help and support people with Autism can lead a relatively normal life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A time to reflect<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some of the challenges I have faced not necessarily as a professional but as a mum has been trying to find the right words to explain Autism to young people, family and friends.\u202f If I were to put on my professional hat, considering the knowledge and experience I have acquired through both training and working with children, young people and their families over the years, describing Autism seems a relatively easy thing to do!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So why is it that when I put on my parenting hat, all this knowledge and experience seems to fall by the wayside?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One thing I have come to realise over the last 6 months is this \u2013 looking at something as a professional and understanding it is completely different when you are looking at it as a parent.\u202f \u202fThinking about Autism and the impact that it can have on family life, especially when that family is your own has meant understanding Autism on a completely different level, something that comes with a significant amount of emotional attachment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today I am sharing a film which someone shared with me initially 6 months ago, it was made by a man over a two-year period who wanted to help explain to the world what Autism is and how it can impact on an individual\u2019s overall emotional mental health and well-being.\u202f \u202fIt is very cleverly put together to help people understand more about Autism in a very beautiful but simplistic way.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Six months ago, \u2018Amazing things happen\u2019, evoked a range of feelings and emotions.\u202f \u202fOverwhelming to watch, it also brought some comfort and a little bit more\u00a0<\/span>insight into how Autism impacts on a\u00a0<\/span>persons<\/span>\u00a0life., from a child\u2019s perspective and something that no amount of text books can teach you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of World Autism Awareness week, \u2018Amazing things happen\u2019, was shown again in a Facebook group and instead of tears, it made me smile.\u202f Reflecting on the last 6 months I have learnt so much more than I realised, yet like anything we still have a long way to go.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n