Celebrating Diversity: Sharing stories from Creative Support staff and service users

#CelebrateDiversity April 2021

Facts about Disorder Welcome to our • There are an estimated 700,000 people in the Autism newsletter! UK who have been diagnosed with ASD. • • One in 100 children in the UK have been As part of our yearly theme diagnosed with ASD. #CelebratingDiversity, this month we • have been celebrating autism and • The ratio of men to women who have been ! We have created this diagnosed with ASD is approximately 3:1. Autism Month newsletter with help from • our fantastic colleagues and service users, • Four out of five adults have found difficulty in in order to share information, resources getting a diagnosis of ASD because of a lack and stories, providing a platform for people of research into how ASD affects adults. to share their own unique experiences and • perspectives of autism! • The word ‘autism’ comes from the Greek word ‘autos’ which means ‘self’. The term Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder was first used by Eugen Blueler, a Swiss (ASD) or Autism Spectrum Condition psychiatrist, who started using the term in (ASC), affects approximately 1 in 100 1911 to refer to a group of symptoms related people in the UK. There are lots of myths to schizophrenia. about autism, many of which feed into • outdated stereotypes. Throughout this • The jigsaw piece which many charities and newsletter, we hope you find the pockets organisations used to represent Autism of mythbusting articles on gender, Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is no longer employment, race, and relationships accepted and is considered offensive. The interesting and insightful! We want to jigsaw piece represents viewing ASD as a listen to people’s personal experiences and ‘puzzle’ or ‘mystery’ which needed to be make their voices louder in order to better solved, which is hurtful and untrue. appreciate and support our autistic service • users, colleagues, friends, and family. • The term ‘Aspergers’ is no longer used as a term to describe some people with ASD. The name comes from Dr Hans Asperger who coined the term. This term is no longer used in medical diagnoses because of Asperger’s history, but some people who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s continue to use the term.

#CelebrateDiversity #AutismMonth History of Autism

One of the earliest well- The first use of 1747 1911 ‘Autism’, One of the earliest known documented stories of a person the term ‘autism’ was 1938 1943 16th Century as we know it published the occurrences of someone writing about a person with autism is that of Hugh used by Eugen Blueler, defined today, earliest known with autism is found within the Table Talk writings Blair Borgue. Hugh’s story was a Swiss psychiatrist who was first used by description of of Reformation monk Martin Luther. The book detailed in a court case in which initially used the term Hans Asperger in a early years autism. His case study contains reference to the story of a 12-year-old his brother successfully fought to to refer to a group of lecture about child was entitled ‘Autistic Disturbances boy who is believed to have had autism. annul Hugh’s marriage in order to symptoms related to psychology. of Affective Contact’. gain Hugh’s inheritance. schizophrenia.

What people think 1995 Sula Wolff in Edinburgh spent 1979 and Gould looked at cases 1944 Hans Asperger coined the autism spectrum over 30 years studying children who of children with autism in the borough the term ‘Asperger’s’ when he looks like: had difficulty with social interaction of Camberwell. They developed the term published the first definition of but didn’t fit into the ‘triad of ‘autism spectrum’ to show how autism can Asperger’s Syndrome in his scientific impairments’ model of diagnosis. affect people differently. They also coined study of children with autism. This She also helped further define and the term ‘triad of impairments’ which is when term is no longer used in medical ‘More autistic’ ‘Less autistic’ identify characteristics of autism children have difficulties with social interaction, diagnoses, and is considered part of which we still use today. communication, and imagination. the autism spectrum. What it can actually look like:

Depression Fixations

Abnormal Abnormal/ The UK Governmnent’s Department posture flat speach 2007 The Adult Psychiatric 2007 2009 The UK Government passed the Morbidity Society, the main of Health funded a project to help adults Autism Act 2009. The act was proposed to Ticks and Noise monitors of trends in England’s with autism. This included people in tackle the lack of support for people with fidgets sensitivity mental health, included autism residential care and people with complex autism and improve understanding of ASD. for the first time. They found needs. Professor Brugha from the It required the Government to introduce Poor eye Social University of Leicester lead the study and contact difficulty that approximately 1% of the an ‘adult autism strategy’ which was population have autism. found that approximately 1.1% of the published in 2010 and updated in 2014. Aggression Anxiety English population has autism.

Follow @crtvspprt 2019 The UK Government published several objectives in its NHS Long Term Plan. It introduced The government launched a On social media, we have been sharing The UK government has 2019 2020 a ‘digital flag’ on patient records to ensure staff review of the autism strategy and #AutismMonth #CelebrateDiversity facts and introduced mandatory training on know a patient has autism so they can provide them has extended it to include children figures, and are hosting social media takeovers by learning disabilities and autism and young people for the first time. A some of our brilliant services and service users! for all health and social care staff. with better support. Another objective was to make consultation was launched in 2019 and Trials began in April 2020 and a reasonable adjustments so that the NHS and other the government is expected to release If you would like to get involved with Autism Month report is set to be released soon. services can better support people with learning disabilities or autism. The Government also aims to the revised strategy soon. in any way, it’s not too late! If you would like to pilot health checks for people with autism by 2024. share your story, a book recommendation, or more, then please get in touch with us via email at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to share as much as we can! What is Neurodiversity? Craig’s Journey

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for certain The movement was started in order Can you tell us about your career? conditions related to the brain. If someone to celebrate and better understand I always wanted to work in health and social care, and is neurodivergent, it means that their brain neurodivergent conditions and appreciate started in the sector in 2001. I initially started working functions, learns, and processes information people as individuals rather than focussing in care homes and learnt lots on the job. Now I’m a differently to what is considered ‘typical’. on their conditions. Singer, who also has senior support worker in Middlesborough. I started Neurodiverse people can have alternate autism, fought for more research, education, working for Creative Support in February 2016, so just thinking styles and different methods of acceptance, and support for people over five years now. communication, or maybe seen to act with conditions such as autism. She also differently. encouraged the move away from the idea of How did you find the process of getting diagnosed with a ‘cure’ for neurodivergent conditions which autism? There are many conditions which fall under the many find offensive. I was diagnosed with autism two years ago. The doctors knew neurodiversity umbrella. These include Autism, from my history that I displayed symptoms, such as constantly washing ADHD, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dyslexia, and It is estimated that approximately one in my hands and doing other rituals. dyscalculia. Some organisations also include seven people in the UK are neurodivergent. Tourette’s Syndrome under the umbrella. Some neurodiverse people may have similar I was referred to the autism services by my CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse). After this, If someone isn’t neurodivergent, they are experiences or face common challenges, specialist doctors have to come and see you and see you doing stuff in your house. Sometimes referred to as ‘neurotypical’. but it is important to remember everyone they come to your workplace if they’re allowed. Then you have to go to the services and sit a experiences things differently. Expecting series of tests and they interview your parents and go through your school results. They also The neurodiversity movement started in the someone to act, look, or behave a certain way, contacted my GP as well and asked me to write stories, do mathematics tests, memory games, mid 90’s by sociologist and autism rights can be insulting and upsetting. colour games - all sorts! activist, Judy Singer. Growing up I used to walk on my tiptoes and I didn’t talk until I was three-years-old. I would also never get mucky and was obsessed with hoovers, not toys. I went to a specialist school for Neurodiversity is part of human life, and we should celebrate this diversity however we can. a few days a week and also went to regular classes. I was given extra time on exams and things Being neurodiverse doesn’t define a person, but it is a part of who they are and we need to because I’m dyslexic and also have OCD. I also used to finger flap as a kid and now I touch continue learning in order to better support and empower people in every aspect of their lives. objects as I go down the road or tap it twice. I also check the doors are locked. If something hasn’t gone the way I’d thought it was going to, it agitates me and I do more of this. It’s part autism and part OCD.

Find out more: I had difficulties if the routines changed in school. I had a school counsellor who would help me Health Assured, our employee assistance programme offers helpful information cope with the changes. and further support if you would like it. You can access eight free counselling sessions through Health Assured, and their My Health Assured App provides What do you wish people knew about autism? free mindfulness and wellbeing tips. People judge you so much and say things like “you don’t look autistic” and people have said that I’m weird over certain routines. People do stereotype and they think that because you talk that you’re not autistic. There isn’t much representation in the media of autistic people, and in general people seem to act like autism is a taboo subject. Sometimes you feel the resentment when you The National Autistic Society (NAS) said that tell people you’re autistic, like they wish you hadn’t brought it up. Allistic people (people without AUTISM MYTHBUSTING this report is “evidence of just how concerned autism) just presume that you can’t function because they don’t understand the spectrum and the Government should be about helping people that autism affects everyone differently. EMPLOYMENT with autism into work.” The NAS said the People with autism can be a great addition Government needs to “make sure the upcoming Are there any autism organisations or charities you would like to highlight? to a workplace! However some frequently autism strategy sets out clear actions to improve The National Autistic Society does a lot of good. You can go on their website and check out their find themselves shut out of typical routes of employer understanding of autism and better supported living services too, some of which include jacuzzis! Creative Support also listens to what employmentdue to lack of thought regarding support people with autism seeking jobs or in you need and asks what they can do to help. We recently got new carpets, repainted the walls, the recruitment process and workplace employment.” and had our garden done - it’s looking nice! My line manager, Adam, has also been very good with environment. The Office for National Statistics my autism and helps me a lot. shared data in February this year that shows To find out more info about this, you can read 22% of adults with autism are in employment, the NAS comments on the employment gap compared to over 80% of allistic people. here, and find info about support at work here. Read more #AutismMonth #CelebrateDiversity stories on our social media @crtvspprt Ashleigh AUTISM MYTHBUSTING

We spoke with artist, designer, and How did you get diagnosed with Autism? My hope with my artwork is to inspire other cartoonist Ashleigh. You may know her from I was diagnosed with autism when I was two. women, including women of colour to express RACE our Black Lives Matter issue of Creative Life According to my mother, I went silent after I themselves and their feelings about pressure There has been little research into how autism which she designed the cover for! was a year old and babies at that age usually from either society or their families. affects Black, Asian, and minority ethnic babble. I was a normal baby until I was one- people. This lack of research, combined with Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? year-old. My mother took me to get diagnosed, In your Instagram bio you said that your a lack of representation in the media, has I’m Ashleigh, I’m 29-years-old and I’m and the first doctor just assumed I had dodgy goals are “raising awareness of autistic girls/ led to the assumption that autism primarily currently unemployed but am slowly becoming hearing and it took a while to get a proper women”, could you tell me more about this? affects white people. However, recent research a freelance artist! I was inspired to be an artist diagnosis. They ended up going to another I didn’t have any difficulties with autism conducted by the University of Cambridge has as I grew up watching a lot of cartoons, anime, doctor who diagnosed me with mild autism. until my educational years as I attended a found that autism is more common in Black, Warner Bros movies, and Disney. My favourite mainstream school in Surrey as there wasn’t Asian, and minority ethnic people than first Disney films are The Little Mermaid, The I’m grateful to my mother for spotting the one closer. I experienced a little bit of bullying thought, and that rates of Autism Spectrum Princess and The Frog, and Tangled! symptoms, but not so grateful that she didn’t alongside casual racism and an identity crisis. Disorder (ASD) are higher amongst Black tell me my diagnosis until I was older. Growing I really want society to keep up with their school children (2.11%) than their white What do you wish people knew about Autism? up I knew I was different. I was applying for research into autism and how it affects the classmates (1.84%). The study also found that I really want people to know that autism isn’t things when I was 18 and the forms always Black community and other people of colour. 0.85% of Roma and Irish Traveller pupils have just for boys and men. Men are diagnosed included a section about disability so I asked Autism is not just a Caucasian thing, it’s a ASD. four times more than women, but from my my mother about it. She then told me that I universal thing. I don’t want people of colour experience that’s because a lot of women was on the autistic spectrum which left me to go through the same experiences I have. The National Autistic Society have pledged ‘mask’ as standard as part of our society and feeling a bit disheartened. She had told the “to do more to create a society that works for the expectations surrounding women. Women schools, and my primary school years were Are there any organisations or charities related Black autistic people, and autistic people from and girls are constantly under pressure to fairly decent as the teachers were really to autism you would like to highlight? other ethnic minority backgrounds.” Their plan fit into everyday society, whether they are helpful. Secondary school was a bit tricker for The National Autism Society are very includes developing an Equality and Inclusion diagnosed with autism or not. me though. informative and teach families whether they plan as part of their new strategy, and calling have children or know adults who are on for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic equality Autism also varies on a spectrum. Something Does being creative help you? the spectrum. They’re my go to charity for to be included as a key action within England’s which annoys me is when I mention that Being creative helps me to confess my true information. I used to read a lot on mental new autism strategy. I’m on the spectrum and people say that I feelings, which is something I’ve found disorders and I did a course at a hospital to don’t look autistic. What’s an autistic person increasingly difficult lately. Being creative helps better educate myself. You can read more about Cambridge supposed to look like?! Autism isn’t just a me express my thoughts and feelings to avoid University’s research here, and about the physical thing, it’s an emotional and mental being misunderstood and miscommunications. National Autistic Society’s commitments here. thing too. I’m fairly independent, but when it I always draw until I feel better when I’m comes to something new or something I’m not down in the dumps. confident with, I might need some guidance. GENDER There is also an assumption that people with Current research shows that the male- autism are disruptive or immature, and that’s to-female ratio of people with autism is not true all the time. Some people with autism approximately 3:1. There is an assumption are very mature for their age. because of this that autism is a ‘male’ condition. Women and girls are more likely to I used to work in a high-street retailer ‘mask’ (see: Glossary on the back page) and which ended up being very toxic. One of the adhere to social expectations in order to ‘fit in’. managers betrayed my trust after my third emotional breakdown. I had a meeting with There is also a lack of research in how autism her, explained my autism, and apologised. affects people of genders other than male I’ll never forget the fact that she said “it’s not or female. Researchers have found a link to acceptable.” I was horrified and betrayed by autism and gender dysphoria. her choice of words, and you think hopefully To read more about this, check out our article people would be more empathetic. To see more of on autism and gender on the next page. Ashleigh’s art, visit: https://ashjeftay91.wixsite.com/akmdportfolio Autism and Gender Examples of misdiagnoses in women Anxiety around social situations, changing Often misdiagnosed as generalised anxiety or Autism is often thought of as a condition routines or life events depression which mainly affects males and not so much Can be misdiagnosed as Obsessive Compulsive females, but this is a misconception! If you Having rigid routines or behaviours read our article on the ‘History of Autism’ Disorder on pages 2 & 3 you can see that we’ve only Neglecting personal hygiene or chores due Can be misdiagnosed as depression or really just begun to better understand Autism to intense special interests taking priority obsession with the special interest Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the past 100 years. Before this, there wasn’t even a term Over-sensitivity to light, sound, taste, or This can be dismissed altogether, or to describe autism and there was barely any touch misdiagnosed as a sensory processing disorder understanding of it despite people living with ASD throughout history. Struggling to manage emotions Often misdiagnosed as a mood disorder The understanding we have of autism today mainly comes from research done in the past 30 years. It’s no wonder then that people may Some of these reasons include: Picky eating and ritualistic eating behaviour Can be misdiagnosed as an eating disorder still have misconceptions or outdated ideas Girls may be more likely to hide their about autism! difficulties with social interaction. As they grow up, girls learn that it is important to Research can take years to complete, analyse, Autism is usually diagnosed at an early age, Some common, easily missed symptoms: be social with other people as there is a and come into practice in diagnoses and as parents, teachers, and health professionals • Special interests if they’re socially societal expectation for girls and women support. There has been a drive in the past are more aware of the signs during childhood. acceptable (i.e. sports, fashion, etc.) to behave a certain way. A lot of people two decades especially for more research, but This means that those who mask their outward • Anxiety in social situations believe females are better communicators it will take a while for this to be delivered in a symptoms, may consequently struggle to • Difficulties with co-ordination misread as than males, so there is this added pressure way that can help further our understanding of receive a diagnosis as an adult. clumsiness for girls to conform. This can result in girls the condition and better support people with making greater efforts to hide difficulties. ASD. Some of these common early year signs: Some think that if someone hasn’t been • Big reactions following specific triggers, diagnosed with ASD in childhood that they To read more about how our understanding of such as changes to routine, lots of aren’t actually autistic, however recent autism has changed over the years, click the With the pressure to appear as good loud noises, bright lights, and other studies show that those who easily hide their link here. communicators, autistic girls might environmental factors symptoms as a child, may struggle to do this become very good at mimicking • Limited interaction with other children, or as successfully in adult life, when they enter Most studies on autism continue to find communication habits. This could be using none at all the workplace and navigate relationships. that males are more likely to be diagnosed certain tones of voice, facial expressions, or • Learning difficulties with autism, but there has been a flood of body language, and is known as ‘masking’. • Repetitive behaviours - some of which can While there is growing awareness of how awareness in the past decade that has found When girls do this successfully, they may be destructive while others are harmless autism affects women as well as men, there females are more likely to be overlooked for feel better about ‘fitting in’ to society. is less research into how it affects other an ASD diagnosis by education and health genders. Recent research has found a link to professionals. gender dysphoria (the sense of unease people have when their gender doesn’t match their Symptoms of how autism affects females biological sex) and ASD. Due to this lack of In 2017, Loomes and her research group may be more likely to be attributed to research, many trans*, intersex, and nonbinary combined the results of 54 recent studies other conditions. To come to a diagnosis of people find difficulties in getting diagnosed and found that on average, there is a ratio of any mental health condition, professionals with ASD. A study found that people who three males to every one female diagnosed often rely on people reporting their don’t identify with the gender that they were with ASD. Loomes also looked at how these symptoms or explaining their everyday assigned at birth are at least three times previous studies collected their information difficulties. However, if women hide their more likely to have ASD than people who do and came to their conclusions. She found that difficulties, or the health professional has (cisgender people). there is a “diagnostic bias against females.” less awareness of how autism affects This means that females are less likely to be women, they may draw conclusions to Read more about this here. diagnosed with ASD for a variety of reasons. other diagnoses. Spencer Luke AUTISM MYTHBUSTING

Spencer, a service user in Greater Manchester Does being creative help you? Luke is a service user from Leeds. We spoke is a jack-of-all creative trades! He is an artist, I think most autistic people have special with him about what he likes to get up to ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS an avid music fan, and a life-long Manchester talents and are gifted at something - my in a usual day, about his lovely girlfriend There is an assumption that people with United supporter. We spoke to him about how talents are art and playing football. I also Sonja, and what he’s looking forward to autism can’t and don’t have healthy, happy, ASD is part of his life, and how being creative like quizzes, especially Countdown. Creativity once lockdown ends! or functioning romantic relationships, which is is so important to him. and doing art helps me because it makes you simply not true. What works for some people zone in and totally focus on one thing. It really Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? doesn’t work for others, and judging people Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? distracts you from everything that’s going on My name is Luke and I’m 26. I like going out based on ‘expected’ social norms can be harmful My name is Spencer and I’m 46-years- around you and it helps me forget my daily and doing things, such as going for a drink at and upsetting. Everyone has the capacity to love old. Along with Asperger’s, I also have worries. the pub! I’m looking forward to being able to and deserves to be loved. Schizoaffective Disorder. I like doing art and go to the pub again and have my favourite painting, along with playing guitar, listening At the moment I like doing portraits and pear Kopparberg. I also like collecting things. While some people with autism may have to music, reading books, and playing football. landscapes. I paint all sorts though such I’ve started collecting face masks and troubles with communication or immediate I support Manchester United and have done as abstract and surreal things, along with currently have ones from Tesco and Asda. I emotional understanding, it is down to them since I was five-years-old! animals. I prefer painting to drawing, but I’m also like to collect beer glasses, beer bunting, and their partner to do what works for them and very good at drawing as well. I’m currently beer mats and stuff like that. what makes them happy. Clear communication, What do you wish people knew about autism? working on pieces for the Creative Support outlining expectations, and navigating what For me, having autism isn’t that disabling Creative Competition! What was the process of getting diagnosed works and what doesn’t is an important part really. I can do everything a non-autistic with autism like? of every relationship, but especially for people person can do such as cooking, drawing, Are there any organisations or charities that I was diagnosed when I was younger, but with autism. Some people may need additional painting, sports and more. Autism isn’t have supported or helped you learn more can’t remember too much about it! My support or guidance, which you can find treatable, but I do take tablets for my about ASD? parents took me to the doctors and that’s information on here. Some people may not Schizoaffective Disorder. The mental how it started. I always grew up knowing I have ‘traditional’ relationships or follow typical health charity was autistic. I went to a specialist school who relationship milestones. I haven’t been officially diagnosed with ASD, Mind and supported me. They gave me longer times on but my family, friends, and people who have Creative Support exams and one-on-one teachers. My favourite If you are someone with autism and would supported me have believed that I am on the have been very subject in school was music, and I can play like additional information on this, check out spectrum for a long time. My support worker helpful. Another the steel drums and the regular drums. I still NAS’s interview with Alis Rowe, director of The helps me with my finances, helps me with charity called like to play music to this day! Curly Hair Project, here as she explains her shopping, and we go out socially for meals Together used to own personal experiences with relationships as and a browse around the shops. We also go for support me and Can you tell us more about your relationship? someone with autism. long walks to keep fit. they were really My girlfriend is called Sonja and we go out helpful too. and do things together. We want to go on Autism feels a bit like a stranger living inside holidays together when we can! We’ve been together for five years and me, as if it’s sort of a disembodied thing that’s What I like about I get two busses to see her as she lives in a different service. I met part of me. You have no real power over it. I Creative Support Sonja when we worked at the same charity shop. We went to a disco feel a lot more positive about my ASD now is the friendly together and swapped numbers and that was it! We enjoy watching that I have support which gives me a brighter support workers. TV and having meals together. outlook on life. My support worker is great and They keep you he encourages me to get out of the house and updated if they’re Are there any organisations related to autism that you think are do things I like. People with autism are really ever running doing a good job? special people, late and they’re good at communicating. The The ‘Autism Awareness’ campaign is really good. They give good and it needn’t service manager always keeps me informed awareness and let more people know about autism because of it. My be disabling or of my weekly visits every Monday and tells support is also really good and they always keep me up to date. impairing with the me what they’re going to be. I am kept well- right support. informed and they also support me with my talents such as art and playing guitar. My dad used to be in a band in the 70’s and he taught We hope you are enjoying reading our Autism Month newsletter and join us in supporting, guitar as a sideline. I’ve now been playing celebrating, and appreciating our brilliant colleagues and service users with autism! guitar for about 30 years! Let us know what you think by emailing [email protected] Glossary

Neurodiverse - this term is used to describe Asperger’s Syndrome - a diagnosis for people who have differences in their thoughts autistic people which is no longer used for new or behaviour, in comparison to expected levels diagnoses. People with this diagnosis are not of functioning. usually expected to receive a different one and it is still valid for them. Neurotypical - a term used to describe people who function in the expected way. Special interest - a topic of interest which is very meaningful to a person. Autistic people Autistic - a person who has significant differences in functioning, including repetitive can become very focused on collecting patterns of thoughts or behaviour, and information on specific topics, usually to a difficulties or differences in communication. greater degrees than allistics. - a nonautistic person. Meltdown - an outburst of emotion and/or Allistic behaviour which can be caused by stress or Masking - when a (often neurodiverse) overwhelmed, among other things. person learns to interact socially in the ‘normal’ way, specifically, when this is at odds Shutdown - a meltdown which is expressed with their natural or preferred methods of inwardly, often causing withdrawing communication. behaviours or sometimes selective mutism. - a person may have needs Stimming - short for self-stimulating Sensory needs behaviour- this is a movement or action which relating to their senses, such as self-soothing can express emotions and/or soothe oneself. through chewing items, or other sensory stimulations. Person-first language - Andy is a person with Autism. Selective mutism - an autistic person may become ‘mute’ or unable to talk in certain Identity-first language - Andy is an Autistic situations. This is not a choice and is not person. controllable.

Books WATCH The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Author, Mark Haddon tells the READ story through the perspective of Christopher, LISTEN who has autism, as he tries to solve the mystery of the death of his neighbour’s dog. TV and film Atypical -Bethany in Wolverhampton M is for Autism - An insight into life of a young recommends this show because it “really tells woman with autism. Written by the students of you what it’s like to have autism and shows Limpsfield Grange, a school for girls with autism you his daily life. It’s relatable for people with and communication and interaction difficulties. autism, and also helps people without autism to Youtubers and Podcasts better understand it.” Kevin Chapman (YouTube) He does lots Sesame Street - This classic recently of mythbusting in relation to family life and introduced a new character to the show explains the process behind diagnoses too. named Julia! She has autism, and in her first The Aspie World (YouTube & Podcast) Daniel episode, the characters explain more about Morgan features mythbusting videos along with autism. You can watch this intro here. personal videos about his life with ASD. - This film follows the The Black Balloon Stephanie Bethany (YouTube) As well story of a family as they deal with change, as sharing her own videos, she frequently growing up, and hurtful stereotypes. It focuses collaborates with other YouTubers with autism! on the relationship between Thomas and his brother Charlie, who has autism, and how they Autism Stories Podcast lead by Dean navigate life together. Davenport who is the father of two sons with autism.