ASM Global - Autism Awareness Month

WHAT IS AUTISM Autism Speaks.org

AUTISM, OR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD), REFERS TO A BROAD RANGE OF CONDITIONS CHARACTERIZED BY CHALLENGES WITH SOCIAL SKILLS, REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS, SPEECH AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION.

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e know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

Several factors may influence the development of autism, and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues.

SIGNS OF AUTISM Signs usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months.

Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.

In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association merged four distinct autism diagnoses into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They included autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disordernot otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.

SENSORY INCLUSIVE VENUES A

pril is World Autism Awareness Month. This month, we are sharing information about Autism to learn more as team members, both personally and professionally. We aim to raise awareness to be a more accepting and inclusive organization. At ASM Global many of our venues are leading this charge by becoming sensory inclusive venues.

WHAT IS A SENSORY INCLUSIVE VENUE? A sensory inclusive venue is committed to accepting and including all people, in particular taking steps to ensure that guests with sensory needs, including but not limited to Autism, a have a safe space to assist with sensory overload and regulation. Some our venues have been certified and they also offer sensory bags which are filled with items that lessen sensory overload and engage.

Sensory Bag items include:

ABOUT SENSORY BAGS

Noodle Fidget

Marble Fidget

Headphones

Sensory bags are designed to help sensory needs in both adults and children and arefilled with items that can help lessen sensory overload.

For more info on sensory programs and kits visit: www.kulturecity.org www.friendlyaccesskits.com Tangle Fidget

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ID Cards

The training our team received has more than prepared them to properly assist guests experiencing sensory overload, it also provides them with a better understanding of autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other conditions that can be put to use in their daily lives inside and outside of the arena. Our staff has been able to execute what they have learned over the years to help guests stay and enjoy the event they came to see. In the end, giving our guests an amazing and unforgettable experience is who we are as ASM Global.”

– Eric Granger, General Manager - ASM Global Louisville

ASM GLOBAL SENSORY INCLUSIVE VENUES:

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One of my favorite memories is when a guest who was here to attend her daughter’s volleyball game arrived with her son at the Guest Services Center to pick up a KultureCity Sensory Bag. She

was smiling and excitedly told me that because of the bag and knowing we had Designated Quiet Zones in the facility she could now bring her son to watch his sister…. something she had never been able to do before.”

Amy Huggins, Director of Culture & Training - Greater Columbus Convention Center

ALLYSON JACKSON

SUPPORTS AUTISM W

e invited our very own Allyson Jackson, General Manager at Jekyll Island Convention Center to chat with us and share her passion and experience working with people living with Autism. She dedicates her time outside of work educating and making lives better for those living with Autism.

Q

What is your connection to Autism?

A

Autism has been in existence forever and medical research has finally caught to it. I can recall growing up and hearing my elders refer to people with developmental challenges as “slow” or “not smart”.

My son has a post traumatic brain injury that occurred in infancy, and he exhibits many of the symptoms of autism. As a parent of a child with similar symptoms, I am passionate about learning, educating, and supporting those with Autism and similar symptoms.

Q

Please share your outreach efforts within the Autism community…

A

For the past 5 years, I’ve been working with young people 10 years and older that are on every level of the spectrum with a unique set of strengths and needs. Some are low functioning, and we hope for “increased direction following and improved social behavior” as a goal. Some are high functioning and are able to learn through training how to cope and adapt in social situations and settings with other people, noise, and confusion. One of the projects that I’m most proud of is Golden Isles Penguin Project It’s a musical theater program that is performed in June each year in Brunswick, Ga. It is designed for young people with special needs including kids with Autism. The participants spend 5-6 months preparing for the production. It focuses on dance and body movements that develop coordination and social skills like public speaking and acknowledging one another. The music has a healing property of its own and is therapeutic. It’s really an amazing production and it’s so rewarding to see them shine and feel like stars.

ALLYSON JACKSON General Manager, Jekyll Theatre

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AS A PARENT OF A CHILD WITH SIMILAR SYMPTOMS, I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT LEARNING, EDUCATING, AND SUPPORTING THOSE WITH AUTISM AND SIMILAR SYMPTOMS.”

Q

What do you wish people knew about living with Autism?

A

I wish people knew that people with Autism want to contribute to society and be a part of a team. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder can be trained to do a variety of jobs, however the training may take a little longer. One of the biggest misconceptions is that they aren’t smart. In fact, intelligence is not always affected with Autism.

Individuals with ASD may not be able to follow written directions but they can follow verbal ones. They may not “get” someone’s joke and they don’t necessarily make direct and consistent eye contact with people, but it doesn’t mean d they can’t do the work.

In my opinion, the Autism community is an untapped and underutilized group that I wish more employers would look at ways to include in their hiring practices.

11 THINGS NOT TO SAY TO SOMEONE WITH AUTISM A. Stout - theautismsite.greatergood.com

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lthough autism awareness and acceptance has increased over the years, people on the spectrum still find themselves faced with questions and comments that make them confused or uncomfortable at best, offended at worst. Those who say them often don’t mean to come across as rude or disrespectful; they just don’t know better or understand what others find hurtful. That’s why people on the spectrum have spoken out on this subject on blogs, videos, and more. Here’s what some of them wish they would stop hearing—and why.

1

“But you don’t look like you have autism.”

Autism isn’t a disorder that has any sort of “look” to it. People with autism look just like everyone else!

2

“I’m sorry.”

Though it certainly comes with its unique challenges, many with autism do not view their disorder as a tragedy. In fact, many believe that’s part of what makes them who they are.

Not to mention those on the spectrum often have wonderful strengths, or even advantages over neurotypicals, like attention to detail, genuineness, and fantastic memories.

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4

“But you have a job/child/romantic relationship/degree.”

Lydia Brown, a blogger on the spectrum, describes such statements as “ableist” (like sexist or racist but pertaining to different abilities). In reality, everyone with autism is different. Some need support for the rest of their lives and some are able to live independently and start a family.

Autism alone does not define what someone can or cannot do…or will or will not do.

“Wait a minute. I know someone with autism, and you aren’t like them.”

I think purpleaspie put it best; this is like saying “‘I know a neurotypical…person, and you don’t act like he or she does.’” Because autism is a spectrum disorder, everyone with it is different, from their expressions of symptoms to their personalities.

5

“You must be really good at math/science/ computers.”

Nobody likes stereotypes, not even when they’re more “positive” like this one. Why? Because it can make people who don’t fit this mold feel inadequate. Again, everyone with autism is different and has different skills, abilities, talents, and likes or dislikes.

6

“You’re just saying you have autism so you can get away with being rude.”

Aside from the fact that this statement is rude in and of itself (oh, the irony!), it’s also untrue for most people on the spectrum.

Those with ASD struggle socially because they don’t pick up on the cues neurotypicals inherently get, and as a result, they may come across as rude. This is not the intent for many, however, and if/when they do realize they offended someone, they are often apologetic.

7

“Please don’t flap/spin/rock/jump. It’s annoying/embarrassing/distracting.”

Stimming is a common and harmless way for people with autism to deal with too much or too little sensory information. Much like the nervous habits of neurotypicals, it helps keep anxiety and emotions in check. That being said, many people on the spectrum want society to accept stimming in the same way it accepts habits like foot tapping.

8

“Oh! So you’re like Rain Man?” This one’s in the same vein as number 5.

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“If you really want to annoy [people with autism], compare us to Rain Man,” Nicholas Fearn wrote in a Buzzfeed article. Savants are pretty rare, only making up about 10 percent of the autism community. And as Jeanette Purkis puts it, “Intellect is not much of a measure of someone’s value.”

9

“Does that mean you’re [r-word]?”

Whoa, nelly! First of all, many differently-abled people would love to see the “r” word eliminated from the English language altogether. While once a legitimate medical term to describe those with intellectual disabilities, it’s now outdated and incredibly hurtful. Amythest Schaber, a YouTuber with autism, calls this word a slur, and the organization R-Word calls it hate speech.

Second of all, more than half of people with autism have an average or above average IQ. Of course, people with intellectual disabilities are just as valuable and worthy of love as everyone else, but it’s simply not true to say that autism equals intellectual disability.

SECOND OF ALL, MORE THAN HALF OF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM HAVE AN AVERAGE OF ABOVE AVERAGE IQ.

“So what’s it like to have autism?”

This one seems genuine and innocuous, but some on the spectrum don’t feel comfortable being asked this, and many don’t really understand the question or know how to reply. Kerry Magro, a speaker and author on the spectrum, says, “I’m just who I am. Autism is a part of who I am in many ways and my experience will vary completely to the next person you will meet on the spectrum.” Or put another way: how can you explain something if that’s all you know?

A better question is one that’s more specific: for example, “What are the unique challenges you face as a person with autism?” Keep in mind, however, that such questions may be more appropriate for people you’ve known for a while.

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[Nothing. Directs questions/comments to friend/caregiver/family member, even though the person on the spectrum is present.]

Being talked around is a universally hurtful experience, whether a person is neurotypical or has autism. It’s invalidating. Whether intentional or not, it nonverbally says “Your thoughts don’t matter to me” or “I can’t trust your input on this.” Yes, it is true that some on the spectrum are nonspeaking, but many of them can still communicate. It’s best to assume a person with autism can and will answer you before turning to someone else. And even if they can’t answer you, they can probably understand you, so watch your words around their caregiver, family, or friends!