Hello,

My name is Jordan

This blog is all about autism. You might be thinking why have I chosen to do a blog about autism, if this is the case it’s because I have Asperger's Syndrome and I feel not many people know enough about it. I feel people should be more aware of it because it’s more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. This shows Autism and Asperger's is very common, but not many people know much about it. One of my dreams is to make it aware to everyone so everyone knows what it is, how it can affect you and how you can help.

Right so let’s get started.

What is autism?

Autism is a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.

Bullying

People with autism are very often bullied because of their differences which makes me feel sick. Knowing someone is bullying someone just because who they are. It’s the same as bullying someone because of the colour of their skin which is very racist but I guess it’s because they don’t understand what it is. One word I feel people use as an insult which makes me feel like I’m worthless is “retard”. I hate the fact people use it as an insult. For many people who don’t know what it means it means a person who has a mental disability. It makes me feel like I’m not human when I’m called that. Having a mental disability is nothing to be ashamed of and calling people it isn’t acceptable. If someone you knew had a physical disability and was in a wheelchair you would not call them lazy. When I get called a retard it upsets me so much, the only reason I don’t show my emotion is because I have been called it so many times I’m used to it. It makes me feel like I have a massive label on me that has it written it big letters and makes me different to everyone else. I feel bullying is a huge problem in general. I feel this should not be allowed in any way, shape or form and I feel schools need to be stricter on this.

How different is life?

Life can be very different depending what type of autism you have. I do not really know how to explain this because I have never had a life without autism. I feel I am able to carry on with normal day to day activities with the right support from everyone around me. However this can be different depending on what type of autism you have. I am very fortunate that I am capable to go to a mainstream school. Sometimes some children wouldn’t cope with this and they can either be home educated or they go to a specialized school. They still learn the same lessons like maths and English but in a way that they will understand it. People like me are able to do the same day to day activities like everyone else. Most weekends I go out with my friends, I listen to music and use my Facebook and twitter as well as playing the latest games on my phone. People further down the spectrum are unable to have a mobile or go out with their friends because they might not cope with any adults around. Many children with autism need a day to day structure so for example on a Saturday they might wake up at 9:00, eat breakfast at 9:30, have a shower at 9:50, get dressed at 10:10. Etc, Etc.

Coping with autism

Coping with autism can be very difficult for the person who has it and the people around them. For some people with autism coping can be very difficult, for example going shopping can be very stressful for someone with autism. The bright lights, the music playing, the other people talking, how busy the shop is. All these things can make an autistic person have a panic attack because they feel unsafe or don’t know what is going to happen. Not only is this stressful the person with autism but it is also stressful for the person who is looking after the autistic person. They have to be very patient and be very structured to make the person with autism feel safe and more relaxed.

Like it says above autism is very common but not many people know about it. Please share this and leave comments to spread the awareness. If everyone knew about autism they would know how to help someone who has it. The world would be a much better place.

April 2014