14/05/2024
ARCANE are working on a book with the Mount Alexander Autistic Community, we will be holding a free workshop at Castlemaine Library on Saturday 25th of May.
Feedback highly valued, here's where I'm at with the text for the book.. if you give feedback, let me know if you want your name in the book :)
Welcome Neurokin, I am Autistic.
More than 1 in 25 Australian children are Autistic, that means there's usually more than one of us in every classroom. Some Autistic children love school, they might grow up to be teachers or go to uni and get lots of degrees. Some Autistic children may be overwhelmed by the classroom and prefer to learn in a quieter space, or at home.
There are many ways in which Autistic people may learn best, we may need to stand up, fidget or draw whilst we listen. We may like to see the instructions as well as hearing them, or we may like to work on projects based on our own interests. How do you learn best?
Our brains are hyperconnected, we can pick up a lot of information from our environments. Sometimes some things are too much - like loud noises, certain smells, tastes and textures or making eye contact. Is there anything that is too much for you?
We deep dive into our interests. We love to learn and share information. We can make friends through sharing our interests with others, and learning about their interests too. What are you interested in?
Community can be very important to us even though we may struggle to know how to make and keep friends. It's important for our mental health that our families and friends accept us for who we are, and that we don't try to change ourselves in order to fit in. What would you like to do with friends?
Sometimes we need alone time too. When more is asked of us than we are able to give, we may experience a melt down or shut down response. It's important to listen to what our bodies and minds need.
Some of us don't speak, or can only speak sometimes. There are many ways to communicate. When we speak, we often like to skip the small talk and say what we mean and mean what we say- except for when we're playing word games. How do you like to communicate?
Comfort is key - soft, cuddly, fluffy blankets are my favourite. Some people like to rock, climb, twirl or chew - everyone's stim is different. What's yours?
Autistic children grow up to be Autistic adults, we can carve our own paths through life. We are artists, teachers, inventors, engineers, entrepreneurs, world builders- and even, grandmas! What do you want to be when you grow up?
We're not afraid to think outside the box. Often we don't know that there is a box. We find our own ways of doing things.
And when we find a way we like to do things, we can do it again and again with just as much pleasure as the first time.
I am Autistic. Autism is my neurotype and culture. Autism is natural and a valuable form of human diversity. Everyone experiences Autism differently- it can be exquisite, beautiful, challenging and messy. Are you Autistic too? How do you experience Autism? What's your favourite thing about being Autistic?
https://www.trybooking.com/CRHZX
Can't make the workshop? You can email your illustrations to [email protected]
This project is supported by a Mount Alexander Shire Council project grant
