From a transport hub to the Sunflower Bar, from Carrick-a-Rede to an off shore island, Derry to Newcastle, the Mournes to Armagh and until 23rd of this month, the NI Science Festival touches every part of the country and the variety of subject on offer is staggering, 250 events with top contributors, experts in their own subject when it comes to celebrating science, the universe and everything in-between. The event I wanted to follow happened last Thursday in the MAC Theatre when Dr. Gemma Williams, who serves on the Westminster Commission on Autism and is an associate with the National Development Team for Inclusion, discussed Autism and Women. There’s a theory that we all have autistic traits to some degree and that’s the interesting point, degree. It’s a spectrum which means those diagnosed with autism each have a different lifestyle and no one knows what causes the condition. Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease, it means your brain works in different ways from others, I’ve had it explained to me as whereas I have a certain plug in my brain, my autistic niece has the same plug but it’s in upside down. Nor is it a medical condition with treatments or a cure, it’s something you are born with symptoms becoming obvious in childhood or in older life.
Gemma was diagnosed ten years ago when she was 32. “My parents thought I was a bit eccentric but there was more to it. Now I realise the signs, lining up toys in a row, building my Meccano helicopter then dismantling only to rebuild it over and over again, having four sausages every night for tea and lining them up all in the same direction, becoming obsessed.”
Subtle Difference
“I was hyper sensitive to smell and the noise and lights in a pub or club which meant I had to escape and just go and sit in the street, I froze, often I couldn’t move. That was before I had my diagnosis, now I understand these were indicators.” These still affect her. “I had a very early start this morning and when I got to the station I had a meltdown, the noise, being tired, stress. I’d forgotten to bring my ear plugs and it all got too much and I ran out of the station.” She did go back once she settled and adjusted to the environment and thankfully she arrived safely in Belfast to a full house and a warm reception. During her lecture she had to remove her earrings as they were making a noise in her ears as she moved and it was distressing her. She also told us that one autistic trait is keeping your balance and indeed as she crossed the stage at one point this became obvious as she stopped for a moment to regain her footing – she is a woman of great humour and used this to make a point.
Gemma did ok at school and went on to university but as she says, she crashed out. “I trained as a midwife, then became a teacher of English as a foreign language but it was too much for me to cope. I became interested in linguistics and communication and worked towards a PhD which led me onto studying autism.” Although she was critical of how the condition is covered by the press; she acknowledges that with more publicity comes more understanding thanks in many ways to naturalist Chris Packham who has been forthright about his trauma before being diagnosed. He is now ambassador for the National Autistic Society.
“Many years ago It was considered a childhood condition that would pass with adulthood but we now know it’s a life long condition. However,” Gemma continued, “we can learn to regulate ourselves and our lives and avoid certain pressure points in different surroundings. Having a grownup brain and a certain amount of experience means, unlike those needing support, many can look after themselves.”
Lack Of Recognition
Is there a difference between male and female? “Historically it was thought of a condition effecting boys and men, so many girls and women went misdiagnosed and still get missed because of the way they present which is very different to males. Women tend to Internalise whereas boys can become outwardly distressed, girls and women more often disguise how they feel even to the point of loosing the ability to speak, often they will adapt their behaviour to the people around them but this ‘masking’ can lead to even more frustration.”
Many people with autism live happy independent lives, occasionally requiring additional care and guidance. Others have learning disabilities or may be nonspeaking and need constant attention, it’s difficult to quantify as each person is an individual with individual needs.
The more the situation is understood the better because parents and carers often have a difficult time. I know of children who run away and won’t come back when called, who run riot through a supermarket tossing displays and causing mayhem. Then staff and customers criticise the adults for not being in control of their child not realising that has nothing to do with it, the child is marching to a different drum beat to others who look as if they are in control. But are we? We all have our little traits and idiosyncrasies.
Twirling your hair, becoming fixated on someone or something, being hyper mobile. We all probably share these to some degree at some time in our lives and usually it means nothing but continuous habits could be an indication to be checked,
The National Autistic Society thinks the UK government should do more research into autism prevalence to determine an updated figure. ‘Until that research is done we believe that more than one in 100 people are autistic, which means more than 700,000 people in the UK.’
Tickets and all Festival details at https://nisciencefestival.com/events
PANTOMIME VILLAINS
Watching Elon Musk and Donald Trump perform in the Oval Office must be so difficult for past presidents, men who had their faults but always seems be respectful of their place of work. I find it difficult to understand how a man who hasn’t been voted to any government office, who is wealthy beyond the dreams of Avarice including money from governmental contracts, can hold a job with such power and responsibility. And the vice president also leaves me wondering. Where are all the well balanced, experienced, intelligent men who are so urgently needed. The women are there but not coming to the fore. I’m scared enough but what must it be like to be an American?
SPRING FORWARD INTO A SUNNY SUMMER
Won’t be long now, dust off the sun specs, check the use by date on your sun cream and look out your bikini! The clocks change on Sunday 30th March at 1 a.m. and then it’s all systems go. Let’s hope for a bright spring and a warm summer. You’ve got to have something to look forward to in these dark days.
