Autistic people should celebrate their uniqueness
DREAMING about the future is something most parents begin to do even before their children are born.
So coming to terms with a diagnosis of autism is, for many families, an emotional journey.
Today, as part of our #weCAN campaign with the North East Autism Society, we look at what’s on offer in our region for adults with autism, and how the Rose family deal with the unknowns for their children.
Consett parents Michelle and Kieran Rose, who know more than most what a future with autism holds for their children, say: “We just want our kids to be happy.”
Diagnosed himself aged 23, dad-ofthree Kieran struggled within the workplace but believes it does not need to be like that for everyone. He said: “When the kids are in bed and we talk about the future, the only hope we have is that they learn to accept who they are, they celebrate their uniqueness and that they are happy.
“We feel strongly that autism isn’t something that can or should be cured – some of the greatest thinkers in the world have been autistic.”
It’s a sentiment shared by the region’s leading autism service provider.
John Phillipson, chief executive officer of the North East Autism Society, can point to the day when he knew something had to change to help adults with autism in the North East. He said: “I was shocked when I saw the unemployment statistics for people with autism. Double that of the national average, at times even as high as 50-75%, it was especially shocking given almost half of all adults with autism received higher education and don’t have learning disabilities.”
Employment Futures was launched in September 2016 and helps people with autism and learning difficulties access work, find support within the workplace and even offers businesses autism awareness training to support their staff and customers. The service was a lifeline for 23-year-old Ashley Jones from Bishop Middleham, County Durham.
“My first job was in roofing, and I basically worked on my own. Later, when I changed jobs to work for a bus company, I was surrounded by people. I couldn’t explain why but it really affected me.
“The unpredictability of the people and their emotions really took a toll on me. I was losing weight and feeling panicky all the time. In the end I was referred to a mental health professional.”
Now working as a Community Employment Specialist, Ashley said: “Through Employment Futures for the first time I was treated like a person and not a set of symptoms or behaviours, and not as a diagnosis.”