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LOOK BEYOND THE LABEL We are very pleased to introduce our new section to the HT Holistic pages - Look Beyond the Label - which will appear quarterly, every February, May, August and November. (And more frequently if required!) So, what is the page about? It’s about sharing the experiences and challenges of the very many Sunny Coast locals who are neurodivergent, rather than neurotypical. It’s a space for people with ADHD, ASD (including Asperger’s Syndrome), OCD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Down Syndrome and more to have a voice and to find support. It is also a space to celebrate those whose brain processes change the way they learn, and/or behave from what is considered "typical." These folk are often the creatives, the inventors, the scientists and engineers - huge assets to our communities and our world. Nuerodivergent people also tend to have a great sense of humour, which you will see as we share some of their life observations each quarter! We welcome content and suggestions from the neurodivergent community and their families/friends. Email: editor@hinterlandtimes.com.au
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22 FEBRUARY 2023 HINTERLAND TIMES
Learning about neurodiversity by LIZZIE VAUGHAN, Director of All About Autism
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eurodiversity is a term integrating into our cultural language. The term is used to explain the unique ways that people’s brains work; the wide range of neurological functioning that exists in humans. No two brains function exactly the same, and as Dr Temple Grandin, a prominent author and speaker on autism said, “The world needs all types of mind.” Under the neurodiversity umbrella comes Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) and more. An estimated 1 in 100 Australians are on the autism spectrum, many of whom live on the beautiful Sunshine Coast and Hinterland. Since moving here ten years ago, I have noticed the slow pull of change from autism awareness to acceptance, and now beginning to celebrate neurodiversity. Autism is a life-long neuro-developmental disability, with individuals having differences in communication, social interaction and interpreting other people’s behaviour, and differences in processing sensory and cognitive information. Alongside these factors, there are numerous strengths. Many individuals may have strong
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observational and visual skills, have a deep focus and their tenacity drives novel approaches and innovative solutions. The challenges faced vary in severity and level of support needed, and individuals face the task of adapting to a world based on neurotypical thinking and expectations. There are an estimated 12.9 million parents, carers, siblings, and grandchildren touched by autism daily. Despite this, many autistic people often feel obliged to pretend not to be autistic; to mask, to use social camouflaging to conform and adapt to non-autistic social behaviour. Masking can include hiding your true personality and interests, enduring sensory overwhelm (often resulting in burnout in private), or suppressing autistic traits such as stimming (repetitive movements or noises). Masking is a heavy burden for our neurodiverse friends, creating cycles of thinking that they are less valuable and less important than neurotypicals. Creating a supportive, inclusive community allows those individuals to unmask in safety and with confidence. In celebrating neurodiversity, we move towards a more accepting and understanding society that embraces all the minds that the world really does need.
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