Earlier this week marked World Autism Awareness Day. The Netherlands took it a step further and marked it ?autismweek?. There were all kinds of events going on related to the spectrum all throughout the country. The company a social worker I keep in touch with works for had such an event running on Wednesday, april 3rd.
The main focus was ?autism and employment?, something which clearly appeals to me cause I regularly blog about it and since I?m unemployed I?m quite interested to attend. And as such, I got up early, got dressed, hopped on a bus and got there.
5 minutes in, and I left already.
Why you ask? Because it was to f**kin overwhelming! That?s why. I got there early in the hopes to avoid crowds, but the crowds weren?t necessarily the problem, but having about 8 tables with various agencies that specialize in autism spread out in a room (a main area) that?s say? 20 by 20 foot, alongside a few people that were around inquiring stuff, and from what I gathered, these were parents of children (or direct family) with autism. Small room, crowd (relatively small), way to formal attire (seriously, suits?) made me leave rather early. I would?ve liked to inquired about things, but I just? can? not? deal?with?situations?like?that. Period.
My eye caught a glimpse of someone having a meltdown, and some presumably more social autistic people (since they were too young to have children; just based on my own perception. But I clearly heard them complain about it being too small) that were sitting outside.
The problem I got from all of this; an event, that features lectures, information, advice and stuff like that, and is aimed towards a specific demographic, clearly misses the boat to accommodate said group.
Perhaps some will think that I should be glad there?s something done like this. But at this point I think that there?s more to be said about ?how? than ?if?. I mean, we?re already talking about something that is done as a ?luxury? of sorts (guess one could name it that), but there?s ****** luxury products as well. Some things just are a huge miss, and this honestly was one of those. It also makes me wonder what idea people got from this. If I, as someone on the spectrum, think this is overwhelming (and pretty much had to leave to avoid a meltdown), do the ones who planned this, think this is perfectly acceptable? Does this mean that I?m more on the spectrum and therefore can deal with less than what?s ?normal? for someone on the spectrum? Who decides what?s ?autism-friendly??
A day earlier, before the event, I browsed the website of the major autism organization of The Netherlands (NVA), I found it interesting they had their normal website and a button for a toned down version of the website to avoid sensory issues for those on the spectrum. It removed sidebars and a lot of more ?in your face? elements on the page. That actually got me thinking even more that clearly they know what some traits of autism and as such ?triggers? can be and took measures accordingly.
A fun thing on my way there; While in the bus I saw some people and I could easily pick anyone out attending the event. And I was spot on. How?s that for an aspie radar (or just autism in general at least)?
Not too sure if I want to attend this next year, since I?ve gathered it?s an annual event. Maybe I?ll contact the organization and comment on it
The main focus was ?autism and employment?, something which clearly appeals to me cause I regularly blog about it and since I?m unemployed I?m quite interested to attend. And as such, I got up early, got dressed, hopped on a bus and got there.
5 minutes in, and I left already.
Why you ask? Because it was to f**kin overwhelming! That?s why. I got there early in the hopes to avoid crowds, but the crowds weren?t necessarily the problem, but having about 8 tables with various agencies that specialize in autism spread out in a room (a main area) that?s say? 20 by 20 foot, alongside a few people that were around inquiring stuff, and from what I gathered, these were parents of children (or direct family) with autism. Small room, crowd (relatively small), way to formal attire (seriously, suits?) made me leave rather early. I would?ve liked to inquired about things, but I just? can? not? deal?with?situations?like?that. Period.
My eye caught a glimpse of someone having a meltdown, and some presumably more social autistic people (since they were too young to have children; just based on my own perception. But I clearly heard them complain about it being too small) that were sitting outside.
The problem I got from all of this; an event, that features lectures, information, advice and stuff like that, and is aimed towards a specific demographic, clearly misses the boat to accommodate said group.
Perhaps some will think that I should be glad there?s something done like this. But at this point I think that there?s more to be said about ?how? than ?if?. I mean, we?re already talking about something that is done as a ?luxury? of sorts (guess one could name it that), but there?s ****** luxury products as well. Some things just are a huge miss, and this honestly was one of those. It also makes me wonder what idea people got from this. If I, as someone on the spectrum, think this is overwhelming (and pretty much had to leave to avoid a meltdown), do the ones who planned this, think this is perfectly acceptable? Does this mean that I?m more on the spectrum and therefore can deal with less than what?s ?normal? for someone on the spectrum? Who decides what?s ?autism-friendly??
A day earlier, before the event, I browsed the website of the major autism organization of The Netherlands (NVA), I found it interesting they had their normal website and a button for a toned down version of the website to avoid sensory issues for those on the spectrum. It removed sidebars and a lot of more ?in your face? elements on the page. That actually got me thinking even more that clearly they know what some traits of autism and as such ?triggers? can be and took measures accordingly.
A fun thing on my way there; While in the bus I saw some people and I could easily pick anyone out attending the event. And I was spot on. How?s that for an aspie radar (or just autism in general at least)?
Not too sure if I want to attend this next year, since I?ve gathered it?s an annual event. Maybe I?ll contact the organization and comment on it
