Empower Voices for Autism

 

Why is it very important to empower voices for Autism?

There it is! Gt Bank has done it againnnn…

It’s one thing when you’re doing everything you can to be aware of a neurodevelopmental disorder, it’s another to make sure others can be aware. 

This is my fifth year attending the GT bank Autism conference. Check out the past year’s post: Creating a community to Awe-Tism Advocates

And every year I go, I am so empowered and also filled with hope. Hundreds of people attend to know more about autism, to find ways how they can help their children or students.

This year’s theme focuses on inspiring confidence in individuals with autism to reach their full potential in their preferred sector, whether art or music. 

I’ll start with the dance drama which was…

Amazing! Mind you, I’m going to be using that term a lot. The actor in the stage play was a very talented photographer. The moral of the riveting story was that people would always try to take credit for what others do, as per the madam who had been stealing the boy’s artwork and selling it as her own.

The drama further explains the need to create a world where these children’s efforts can be appreciated and supported. His environment was aware of his condition and supported him and guess what? They were there for him when someone tried to mess with him. They were ready to take it to the streets. That’s how it’s supposed to be!

The lectures this year were very eye-opening, especially for me. There was so much on Executive functioning skills- some people find it difficult to do things that people usually know how to do- like I noticed how Tobi usually doesn’t do his buttons the right way, even when I have taught him a million times. 

Then about sensory processing disorder! Do you know some people cannot focus on a task because of their environment? Overstimulation can be very difficult and most of the time, I blame Tobi for what he cannot do, but what matters is that he is going through. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m speaking to myself when I say “go at the pace of the child.”

And then you how amazing funny doctor Brian captivated me with his presentation- he had explained the terms- neurodivergent, neurodiverse, and neurotypical. 

Funny how we can communicate so many ways. One of the facilitators had explained the basis of common, giving examples that can make us understand setting, motivation, opportunity, and awareness. Sometimes children can use actions instead of words to communicate. They may want something and would drag you to that place because they cannot properly articulate what they need. 

Remember that people on the spectrum have different ways to look at the world. We must empower their voices for them to strive in the world. 

It’s been 13 years of impact, 17 years more and I’m here for it. 

Thank you, GT Bank. 

Corporate dance world…. Thank you for creating the time to tell a compelling story about Autism in society and for having the most good-looking people do so *wink, wink*

Thank you to all of the facilitators and the specialists, it takes passion, love, and care to come out every year to do this and it’s very impressive! 

Thank you to everyone that showed up for their child, sibling, student or just to even learn more. 

Remember that it is important to inspire a world where everyone is heard, seen, valued, and supported.