Autism Month in April: 16 years of awareness
World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 is only the beginning of a month made to appreciate the people in our lives who are on the spectrum. The day has been observed for 16 years, but is Australia making enough progress?
This year, April 2 marks the 16th consecutive year that people around Australia pause to appreciate those in our community living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
It’s only just the tip of the iceberg for Autism Month, which runs from April 1–30, which is intended to raise a toast to the approximately 1 out of every 100 Australians that are diagnosed with ASD.
ASD is an umbrella neurological condition, which can be observed and diagnosed in early childhood based on varying degrees of social and behavioural attributes, such as repetitive or particular actions.
Nearly 13 million parents, carers and relatives play a role in the lives of people on the autism spectrum and it’s a chance for them to feel a sense of joy for the diversity and personalities that make up day-to-day life.
Over the years that World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) has been observed on April 2, the nation has grown to improve its understanding of, and respect for, the characteristics of neurodivergent peers.
However, there is still plenty of work to be done in order to make sure that everyone feels welcome and comfortable in society.
Will Sawyer, client of disability employment service provider atWork Australia, is one of the 38% of Australians living with autism who’ve made strides in the modern workforce.
Will has been diagnosed with ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which made employment and self-reliance an uphill battle.
“I really struggled to get into the workforce, especially with some of the barriers I face as a neurodivergent person.
“At times, my ADHD made me feel like applying for jobs was an impossible task – I didn’t know where to start,” said Will.
Although ASD and developmental conditions have become more visible to the general public, the median income of those who live with disability, including those who are autistic — compared to those who aren’t — is half.
Through structured support and seeking advice, Will has landed a job as a Customer Service Representative.
“I hope to see more spaces for neurodivergent people in employment settings where they can thrive,” said Will.
As older Australians try to familiarise themselves with ASD, Flinders University Professor of Psychology Robyn Young warned the public that the diagnosis is not as important as the support systems in place.
“When I first started researching autism, the incidence was about 1 in 1000 people. This has risen to estimates of around 1 in 60,” said Professor Young.
“While part of this is due to increased education and awareness, the criteria has also been broadened.
“Given that symptoms of autism overlap with other disorders, including trauma responses and anxiety, it is important that clinicians spend time assessing the cause of the presenting issues.”
Professor Young, with over 30 years’ experience in autism research, expressed that the surge in self-diagnoses in older Australians is a byproduct of services such as the NDIS remaining ‘diagnosis driven’.
“Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that must be present in childhood, hence an accurate and informed developmental history is critical in ensuring we understand the issues.”
Federal Government funding directed at up-and-coming stars of the workforce like Will and made possible through the Australian Autism Cooperative Research Centre (AARC) is a good sign of things to come.
For information on therapists and specialists near you, please view our directory via the link here.
For information and resources regarding ASD and WAAD, please visit Autism SA, the AARC website and the Department of Social Services National Autism Strategy.
To learn about the support services available that helped people like Will, you can visit atWork Australia by clicking here.
Interviews and quotes via atWork Australia and Flinders University News