A division of Orange Elephants Creative Minds. This page was originally started as a place of connection for those interested in the upcoming book Autism and Me: Unheard Voices but it has become much more. It has become a page for individuals and families to connect with those who understand and a page that has offered a back door to advocacy services. The number of children diagnosed with Autism each day is on the rise. With the cause of Autism still unknown, and a long way from being solved, society struggles to understand, whilst individuals and carers struggle to find acceptance. As the author of Autism and Me knows from first-hand experience life with Autism is no walk in the park. Jennifer has two children with ASD, a 23-year-old son, and a 14-year-old daughter. In the Autism community, there is a saying “ If you have met one person with Autism you have only met one person with Autism.” Each and every person diagnosed is affected differently. From inappropriate behaviour to delay with communication, difficulty with social interactions, cognitive-developmental delay, sensory issues and high anxiety, the symptoms from one person to another varies in severity. This wide variation makes the education of the general community, along with acceptance on a broad scale, more difficult. People with Autism are way too often seen as weird. Children with Autism are seen as just ‘naughty’ or difficult, with their parents being criticized for poor parenting skills. Autism and Me: unheard voices is the voice of carers, parents, grandparents and those with a diagnosis of Autism from around the world. As a group, we strengthen societies understanding of the common characteristics of Autism, regardless of level, and the difficulties faced within society. We offer an insight into what they, as a broad community, can do to make the lives of those with Autism easier. Services:
Mentoring and support: Offered to individuals with autism and families and carers. Face to face consultations are held on the Gold Coast,Queensland. For those outside this area online and phone consultation are available. Group consultation and guest speaking on varying topics are also available. See the pinned post on this page. Homeschooling a child with autism: support, planning, programming and resource consultation. Youth Justice Advocacy and Education: supporting the individual navigate the justice system. Educating and supporting lawyers, police, judges and staff within the justice system on the effects of the justice system on those with autism and how to handle outcomes. Early Intervention playgroup: a place of support and acceptance facilitated by a qualified professional. Other services: Lego-based therapy, Bibliotherapy, short story writing workshop, literary study group, literary discovery group, behaviour management plans, individual developmental support, African drumming therapy, Free to be Me club, sensory play sessions (all ages), writing consultancy, university coaching and tutoring. The book:
Autism and Me, Unheard voices, is a compilation of stories from those within the Autism community, as told to the author, giving the community not only a place to be heard but a place to be understood and a place to be accepted. For the wider community, it is a place to listen and learn. Autism and Me is a book of unity, compassion, growth, and progression. Autism and Me: Unheard voices, is currently in the writing process. Like all good books, this takes time. Each individual story is being compiled and written with the uttermost care, compassion, and respect for the individual and families.
