Hey, Jordan here!

Hope you all enjoyed reading my last blog about being the best person that you can be. 

I thought I would go back to autism for today as this month I have been doing so much that I would love to share with you all. 

But I have been continuing to working with drama and autism specialists to develop an interactive course for teachers about autism and how to manage it in an effective way. This has not only allowed me to share my knowledge, but it has also allowed me to learn how I can be more independent in the real world when feeling unsafe, and has allowed me to explore new strategies in a comfortable environment, but that’s not what I want my main focus to be today.

What I want to talk about today is a course I recently attended, which was ran by the Warwickshire’s IDS team which I found really useful, and it was all about autism. It was interesting for someone like myself to hear what the neurological autism specialists understand. 

I found it really beneficial, and it made me feel reassured that so much is understood by neurological people. By using aspects of drama by doing some role play allowed many of the other members of staff I work with to visualize what it might be like to talk to someone on the spectrum, when all they can do is focus on something else, and it was really useful to look at good communication for people with autism, as it is vital to find a clear & successful way to communicate with someone who has autism.

One of the facts I recently discovered on my teaching and learning course at college is that only 7% of communication is by the words we say, and how the rest of it was by the volume, tone and pitch of our voice. Not forgetting facial expressions and body language, and the fact someone with autism or Asperger’s syndrome will only pick up on that 7% is shocking. I must admit, the majority of time that’s exactly what I do, so no wonder I am often left confused.

Another key thing I really explored was what I really concentrate on. Do I always concentrate on the person talking to me or a group of people? No, my eyes are often elsewhere, looking at the sheet of paper on the classroom floor wondering if its 2 sheets cut in a messy pile, or whether it is just 1 sheet that happens to be cut into a funny shape. Although I am listening to what is being said, it’s tricky for my brain to process what is being said, as I am only processing 7% of what is actually being communicated to me, and then to be missing out on a big 93% of everything else is insane, and it makes you think how any autistic person can cope. 

You look at that figure when in the learning environment, and that is so much vital information needed for their education which is unable to be accessed. Which is why I am enjoying learning how to drive, as my instructor understands autism, and is able to communicate in ways which are clear and that I will understand. 

But this has also been what has happened throughout life, as I have slowly learnt over years that it is OK to be unsure and that it is OK to ask for help (although often I don’t).

I suppose I want to thank all my friends and family for their constant support, but not forgetting my readers, because if it wasn’t for them, I would be writing loads of meaningless words onto a word document, and then I wouldn’t be benefiting anyone.

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