Think Differently About Autism
This is the latest email from the Think Differently About Autism campaign.
Dear Mike
Thank you for supporting ourcampaign. Together we will improve the lives of the 1 in 100 people in the UK with autism by creating a better understanding of autism in society. Today we launched the second part of our campaign film which highlights some the challenges a person with autism can face everyday. Though the film only shows one of the many ways autism can affect an individual, it is a vital tool to help increase understanding of autism. We need your help to ensure as many people as possible see this film!
Please forward on this email to all your contacts encouraging them to watch the campaign film and then signing up to support our campaign.
Coming in February 2008
In February 2008 the campaign will focus specifically on the issues facing adults with autism and call for the UK government to take action to address the desperate lack of services and support for adults with autism. We will keep you updated on how you can support this part of the campaign. For more information about the campaign please email us at thinkdifferently@nas.org.uk or call and leave a message on 020 7923 5788.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
The film is in two parts. I understand there is a third part scheduled. Part 1 is about a bus journey and appears to borrow from the work of Larry Arnold in Outside In. The big difference is that Larry uses film to explain what autism means to him and to argue his point of view. These short films are an attempt to illustrate particular aspects of autism and suggest to neurotypical viewers what it is like to be autistic.
The strength of this approach is that it makes very simple points clearly and leaves the viewer in no doubt as to the particular problem the film is meant to illustrate. The drawback is that autistic people are portayed as victims both of their disability and of our lack of understanding. They need our help to make up for their shortcomings.
This is part of the truth about autism. But it is not the whole story. Autistic people expend a great deal of energy accommodating our shortcomings. I found some of the so-called “normal” behaviour in the videos confusing or annoying. What are you supposed to do when complete stranger starts chatting away just because you sat next to them on a bus? And what about the receptionist who never stopped talking and ignored the young man’s repeated question? It would be interesting to watch the same videos with autistic voices commenting on the action.
So watch the films and let me know what you think. Tell the NAS as well. They are making an honest attempt to educate the general public about autism in ways that are respectful of autistic people. They deserve both our praise and constructive criticism.
