Bendigo Autistic Advocacy and Support Service
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New to Autism / Diagnosis
Autism
Autism is a genetic neurological (brain) difference. A person is born autistic.
Autism is part of the natural diversity (difference) of humanity and is not a disease.
Autistic brains perceive and experience the world differently.
Autism is a disability in that there are many barriers to accessing our environments meaningfully and comfortably because there is still inadequate acceptance and inclusion of autistic needs within our broader community.
Diagnosis
A new diagnosis can take time to process.
The diagnosis of autism can be empowering and is an important part of a person’s identity.
Understanding yourself enables you (or your child if you are a parent of an autistic child/ren) to begin to learn more about autism and embrace your authentic self.
It is important to remember that autistic brains are different to non-autistic brains. This means that many things look and feel different for us.
Placing inappropriate expectations on autistic people based on what is expected of non-autistic people is detrimental to our ability to function well within our community.
We are still educating the non-autistic community about autistic needs and that they look different to non-autistic needs.
For example, some autistic people find eye contact extremely uncomfortable or even painful. Many autistic people can actually focus better if we avoid eye contact. Eye contact is not necessary for courtesy or for listening.
Another example is the importance of accepting all forms of communication as valid. Some autistic people communicate in different ways and this should always be respected and supported in the way that is most meaningful to that person. Pressuring someone to communicate verbally can be distressing, traumatic and counterproductive.
One of the most important things to know is to respect what each autistic person needs.
If you are seeking an autism diagnosis, we have a list of some Victorian assessment clinics and clinicians available here.
Please let us know if you would like to be included on this list or if you know of a clinician or clinic we can add.
Social
Autistic people have different experiences and needs to non-autistic people. We can socialise and communicate differently, and that’s ok.
Everyone should accept differences amongst people and not pressure autistic people to be like non-autistic people.
Many autistic people need a lot of ‘down time’ between activities and within their schedule.
This may look different but it is very important that each person is respected when seeking down time and in the way they need it.
Visit a great source of information about socialising from an autistic perspective here, by Briannon Lee.
Sensory Processing
The majority of autistic people experience sensory processing differences.
This means autistic people's brains experience sensations differently.
Your senses relate to sight, hearing, smell. touch, taste and also balance and awareness of where one's body is in the environment.
Our brains experience sensory input differently to non-autistic brains. This can mean we react more or less than non-autistic people, to sounds, lights and sensations. It can also mean we need more or less of some smells or sensations.
Sometimes autistic people can become overwhelmed by sensory input and this can result in severe distress and overwhelm.
Sometimes we need lots of space and 'down time'. It is important to identify your sensory needs and support them.
There is more information about sensory processing available in the Sensory Processing section further down the page.
Identity first language
Most autistic prefer the term ‘autistic’, to ‘person with autism’. This is because autism is a big part of our identity– who we are.
Autistic brains experience the world differently.
The best approach is to always defer to and respect the autistic person’s preference.
More information about identity first language is available on our website page 'Informative Links' here.
Gender differences
Statistical data suggests that there are more autistic boys/males than girls/women. These statistics are likely inaccurate.
This is because of differences between genders and their experiences of autism. Many previous studies did not recognise these differences and do not take into account the fact that there are more gender identities than male and female.
For more information on gender differences you can visit:
Vic Diversity here
Parents of Gender Diverse Children here
Rainbow Families Victoria here
Functioning labels
Functioning labels such as ‘high functioning’ and ‘low functioning’ are very inaccurate and harm the autistic community.
Every person-autistic and non-autistic, has varying abilities at different times. Many factors influence this, for example; illness, environment, schedule etc.
Some people need more supports than others and this can vary based on the above factors.
Please don’t presume anything. Take the time to get to know each person and respect them– regardless of previous ability, and don’t assume anything.
There is more information about functioning labels on our website page 'Informative Links' here.
Interests
Autistic people can experience great passion and connection to their interests. Engaging in our interests is a big part of our welbeing and being able to self-regulate- or ability to cope. It is important to support us in our interests.
Please don't use our passions and interests in an attempt to engage us in something we avoid/don't like/refuse. This is harmful to us.
There are some great articles about autistic people, their interests and connecting with us in meaningful ways.
Briannon Lee has a great piece here, called 'One super important way to forge connections with autistic people in your life.'
Autistic Community
It is important for an autistic person to find their autistic community. Being able to access your (for parents of autistic child/ren-your child’s) autistic community can be an invaluable and powerful experience.
The autistic community is the first and best place to find support and information for autistic people and families/carers/loved ones.
We have more information below and on our other pages, including links to many sources of writing and information from autistic people.
More information- writing and articles
Below we are working on compiling a range of resources providing helpful information from a respectful perspective, in line with the neurodiversity paradigm.
You can work through these articles at your own pace and please don't hesitate to contact us for further resources or support.
New to autism / diagnosis:
Autism is a genetic neurological (brain) difference. A person is born autistic.
Autism is part of the natural diversity (difference) of humanity and is not a disease.
Autistic brains perceive and experience the world differently.
Autism is a disability in that there are many barriers to accessing our environments meaningfully and comfortably because there is still inadequate acceptance and inclusion of autistic needs within our broader community.
Diagnosis
A new diagnosis can take time to process.
The diagnosis of autism can be empowering and is an important part of a person’s identity.
Understanding yourself enables you (or your child if you are a parent of an autistic child/ren) to begin to learn more about autism and embrace your authentic self.
It is important to remember that autistic brains are different to non-autistic brains. This means that many things look and feel different for us.
Placing inappropriate expectations on autistic people based on what is expected of non-autistic people is detrimental to our ability to function well within our community.
We are still educating the non-autistic community about autistic needs and that they look different to non-autistic needs.
For example, some autistic people find eye contact extremely uncomfortable or even painful. Many autistic people can actually focus better if we avoid eye contact. Eye contact is not necessary for courtesy or for listening.
Another example is the importance of accepting all forms of communication as valid. Some autistic people communicate in different ways and this should always be respected and supported in the way that is most meaningful to that person. Pressuring someone to communicate verbally can be distressing, traumatic and counterproductive.
One of the most important things to know is to respect what each autistic person needs.
If you are seeking an autism diagnosis, we have a list of some Victorian assessment clinics and clinicians available here.
Please let us know if you would like to be included on this list or if you know of a clinician or clinic we can add.
Social
Autistic people have different experiences and needs to non-autistic people. We can socialise and communicate differently, and that’s ok.
Everyone should accept differences amongst people and not pressure autistic people to be like non-autistic people.
Many autistic people need a lot of ‘down time’ between activities and within their schedule.
This may look different but it is very important that each person is respected when seeking down time and in the way they need it.
Visit a great source of information about socialising from an autistic perspective here, by Briannon Lee.
Sensory Processing
The majority of autistic people experience sensory processing differences.
This means autistic people's brains experience sensations differently.
Your senses relate to sight, hearing, smell. touch, taste and also balance and awareness of where one's body is in the environment.
Our brains experience sensory input differently to non-autistic brains. This can mean we react more or less than non-autistic people, to sounds, lights and sensations. It can also mean we need more or less of some smells or sensations.
Sometimes autistic people can become overwhelmed by sensory input and this can result in severe distress and overwhelm.
Sometimes we need lots of space and 'down time'. It is important to identify your sensory needs and support them.
There is more information about sensory processing available in the Sensory Processing section further down the page.
Identity first language
Most autistic prefer the term ‘autistic’, to ‘person with autism’. This is because autism is a big part of our identity– who we are.
Autistic brains experience the world differently.
The best approach is to always defer to and respect the autistic person’s preference.
More information about identity first language is available on our website page 'Informative Links' here.
Gender differences
Statistical data suggests that there are more autistic boys/males than girls/women. These statistics are likely inaccurate.
This is because of differences between genders and their experiences of autism. Many previous studies did not recognise these differences and do not take into account the fact that there are more gender identities than male and female.
For more information on gender differences you can visit:
Vic Diversity here
Parents of Gender Diverse Children here
Rainbow Families Victoria here
Functioning labels
Functioning labels such as ‘high functioning’ and ‘low functioning’ are very inaccurate and harm the autistic community.
Every person-autistic and non-autistic, has varying abilities at different times. Many factors influence this, for example; illness, environment, schedule etc.
Some people need more supports than others and this can vary based on the above factors.
Please don’t presume anything. Take the time to get to know each person and respect them– regardless of previous ability, and don’t assume anything.
There is more information about functioning labels on our website page 'Informative Links' here.
Interests
Autistic people can experience great passion and connection to their interests. Engaging in our interests is a big part of our welbeing and being able to self-regulate- or ability to cope. It is important to support us in our interests.
Please don't use our passions and interests in an attempt to engage us in something we avoid/don't like/refuse. This is harmful to us.
There are some great articles about autistic people, their interests and connecting with us in meaningful ways.
Briannon Lee has a great piece here, called 'One super important way to forge connections with autistic people in your life.'
Autistic Community
It is important for an autistic person to find their autistic community. Being able to access your (for parents of autistic child/ren-your child’s) autistic community can be an invaluable and powerful experience.
The autistic community is the first and best place to find support and information for autistic people and families/carers/loved ones.
We have more information below and on our other pages, including links to many sources of writing and information from autistic people.
More information- writing and articles
Below we are working on compiling a range of resources providing helpful information from a respectful perspective, in line with the neurodiversity paradigm.
You can work through these articles at your own pace and please don't hesitate to contact us for further resources or support.
New to autism / diagnosis:
- Welcome to Autism- Respectfully Connected. View the article here.
- What is Autism? Neurocosmopolitanism, Nick Walker View the article here.
- Tips for Surviving the Difficult Weeks and Months- Respectfully Connected. View the article here.
- What is Autism?- Parenting Autistic Children with Love and Acceptance. View the article here.
- What is Autism? Michelle Sutton. View the article here.
- Working definitions. Cynthis Kim at Musings of an Aspie. View article here.
- 10 'Autism interventions' for the family embracing the neurodiversity paradigm. Briannon Lee- Respectfully Connected. Article can be viewed here.
- Autism 101. Erin Human. Infographic can be viewed here.
- Understanding Autism. Alex Forshaw at My Autistic Dance. Read it here.
Some great info about autistic experiences and supporting autistic people
You can also find more information about supports for autistic children, youth and adults on our pages 'Supports' viewed here and 'Informative Links' viewed here.
There is more information on education, inclusion and support on our 'Education, Autism and Inclusion' page here.
Find more articles about supporting autistic children in 'Parenting and Neurodiversity' here.
- Journeys in Parenting, Autism and Neurodiversity. Respectfully Connected. Read it here.
- Tendril Theory. By Erin Human. Find the infographic here.
- Token Theory. Karla's ASD Page- view the infographic and link can be accessed towards the end of the page, below.
More information around supporting autistic people can be found on our other website pages, have a browse at your own pace and contact us if you would like support or further information.
More information to come!
Some great articles about sensory processing, written by autistic adults are below.
Stimming
Stimming is an abbreviation for the term 'self-stimulatory behaviour'.
Stimming is a natural response to cope with overwhelming emotions and is also a coping mechanism in relation to sensory overload.
As a crucial component of self-regulation, stimming assists in feeling confident, safe, calm and connected- of which is essential for learning. Some forms of stimming are clapping, flapping hands, jumping and many of us stim is by using fidgets.
Stimming can also be verbal- that means making sound with you mouth. This can be by repetitive sounds, humming, phrases etc.
- Sensory Processing. Cynthia Kim- Musings of an Aspie. Visit the article here.
Stimming
Stimming is an abbreviation for the term 'self-stimulatory behaviour'.
Stimming is a natural response to cope with overwhelming emotions and is also a coping mechanism in relation to sensory overload.
As a crucial component of self-regulation, stimming assists in feeling confident, safe, calm and connected- of which is essential for learning. Some forms of stimming are clapping, flapping hands, jumping and many of us stim is by using fidgets.
Stimming can also be verbal- that means making sound with you mouth. This can be by repetitive sounds, humming, phrases etc.
- BAASS Fidget Resource document can be viewed here.
- Stimming. Amethyst Schaber- Ask an Autistic, YouTube video can be viewed here.
Meltdowns and shut downs are completely involuntary responses autistic people can have in response to overload from sensory stimuli, overwhelm/exhaustion/anxiety, change or an accumulation or combination of these.
Autistic people cannot control a meltdown or shutdown.
We have created an infographic below, about Meltdowns and there are some links below to great sources of information about meltdowns and shutdowns.
PDF downloadable below
Autistic people cannot control a meltdown or shutdown.
We have created an infographic below, about Meltdowns and there are some links below to great sources of information about meltdowns and shutdowns.
- Meltdowns BAASS Infographic below with PDF version available for download.
PDF downloadable below
autism___meltdowns.pdf | |
File Size: | 540 kb |
File Type: |
- Anatomy of a meltdown. Cynthia Kim- Musings of an Aspie. Find the article here.
- Meltdowns happen. Karla's ASD Page. A great infographic with tips on supporting meltdowns- view link here.
- What Are Autistic Meltdowns? Amethyst Schaber- Ask an Autistic. YouTube video can be viewed here.
- What Are Autistic Shutdowns? Amethyst Schaber- Ask an Autistic - Neurowonderful. Youtube video can be viewed here
- Where I go when I shut down. Cynthia Kim- Musings of an Aspie. Find the article here.
- Shut downs. Amethyst Schaber- Ask an Autistic. Find the article here.
Some other relevant topics-
Auditory Processing
- A thing experts don’t talk about: Auditory Processing Disorder. Beth Ryan at Love Explosions. Read it here.
Burnout and Inertia
- Autistic Burnout. Autism Women's Network. Find the article here.
- Stuck. Wading through Treacle. Find this article here.
- Autistic Inertia. Unstrange Mind. View link here.
- Spoon Theory. By Christine Miserandino. "An analogy of what it is like living with disability". Read it here.
- Karla's Token Theory can be viewed below, or visit the facebook post here.
- A Look at Autistic Inertia. Divergent Minds. Read it here.