1 00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:11,800 Speaker 1: Welcome to Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide? 2 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:19,800 Speaker 1: Hosted by Tony Mantor, broadcasting from the heart of Music City, USA, Nashville, Tennessee. 3 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: Join us as our guests share their raw, powerful stories. 4 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:29,479 Speaker 1: Some will spark laughter, others will move you to tears. 5 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: These real life journeys inspire, connect and remind you that 6 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 1: you're never alone. We're igniting a global movement to empower 7 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:46,240 Speaker 1: everyone to make a lasting difference by fostering deep awareness 8 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:52,880 Speaker 1: on wavering acceptance, and profound understanding of autism and mental health. 9 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: Tune in, be inspired, and join us in transforming the world, 10 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: one story at a time. Hi, I'm Tony Mantur. Welcome 11 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 1: to Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide. 12 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: If these conversations resonate with you, I invite you to 13 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:15,320 Speaker 1: tap follow. It helps us to reach more people who 14 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: may need to hear them. Thank you for being here. 15 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:21,319 Speaker 1: Joining us today is Faria ash. She was on this 16 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 1: podcast about a year and a half ago. She shared 17 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:28,399 Speaker 1: powerful insights about autism, advocacy and the importance of community. 18 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: Since that conversation, she hasn't just continued the work, She's 19 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: taken it to an entirely new level. She is now 20 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: the founder of a growing autism foundation in the UK 21 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 1: dedicated to empowering individuals on the spectrum, supporting families and 22 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:46,199 Speaker 1: building real inclusion, not just awareness. So before we dive 23 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 1: into our episode, we'll be back with an uninterrupted show 24 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: read after a word from our sponsors. Thanks for joining us. 25 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 2: Today, No, thanks for having me. Thank you. 26 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 1: It's my pleasure. Tell us about your journey since we 27 00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 1: last talked. 28 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 2: So since we last I'm it is probably at the 29 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 2: beginning of the launch of my book, Toilet Training for 30 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:08,359 Speaker 2: autic and send Children and Adults. Yes, so I had 31 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,239 Speaker 2: recently launched my work and we talked about that in depth. 32 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 2: And since the launch, you know, I have started a 33 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 2: social enterprise called the Autism Foundation. And also I have 34 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:25,519 Speaker 2: now started a new project. Basically I want to get 35 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 2: into care sector and I am raising friends to start 36 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 2: a care facility in the UK. 37 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 1: So give us a little insight. What inspired you to 38 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: create the Artism Foundation. 39 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 2: So the success of my book, which you know is 40 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:41,800 Speaker 2: based on the real life story of my daughter Afia, 41 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 2: who read eighteen next month. 42 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 1: Oh wow, so she's going. 43 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 2: To turn eighteen years early. Yes, I know, I can't 44 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 2: believe where time is flying by. So it's based on 45 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 2: her real life story. It's based on how I created 46 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 2: a method for her to toilet train her at home, 47 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:02,080 Speaker 2: failing all support from the you know, health sector, the 48 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 2: education sector, because nobody knows how to toilet prain an 49 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 2: autistic person, let alone a severely autistic person who's completely 50 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 2: non verbal as well. So after creating that method and 51 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:14,639 Speaker 2: launching the book, and the success of the book led 52 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 2: to the formation of Autism Foundation actually because people started 53 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 2: asking me can I do training workshops which are linked 54 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:23,320 Speaker 2: to the book, and I was like, yeah, of course, 55 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 2: you know, I would love to do that. So I 56 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:27,519 Speaker 2: started doing those, which went really well, and then some 57 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 2: organizations they approached me saying, we really need training on 58 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 2: autism for the community and for professionals as well, and 59 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 2: they said, are you able to develop training for autism. 60 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 2: I said, of course I can, because I'd been working 61 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,120 Speaker 2: in special schools for a long time and now I'm 62 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 2: an aidors to train assessor as well. So then I 63 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 2: develop autism training which kind of dwells into autism communication, 64 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 2: social interaction, repetitive behavior. I also look at sense for 65 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 2: impairments because that was very co ordinate. Goes hand in 66 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 2: hand with autism. A lot of people miss sinsre impairments, 67 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 2: So I talked in depth about sensor impairments and how 68 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 2: they affect an autistic person. And then the second part 69 00:04:11,320 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 2: of the training is purely based on behavior. How can 70 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 2: we support an autistic person to overcome challenging behavior because 71 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 2: autism comes with challenging behavior as well, which again a 72 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:26,840 Speaker 2: lot of people may not understand or realize that how 73 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:30,719 Speaker 2: much challenging behavior is affecting an autistic person's quality of life. 74 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 2: So both my trainings are based on improving the quality 75 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 2: of life of these autistic people and their families and 76 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 2: professionals as well. 77 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 1: How long has it been since you launched the Autism Foundation. 78 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 2: I launched it in October twenty twenty three, so I 79 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 2: had already been doing my workshop since the launch of 80 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 2: the book, which was in March twenty twenty three, and 81 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 2: then I made Autism Foundation official in October twenty twenty three. 82 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:01,680 Speaker 1: From October twenty twenty three, now, how have you seen 83 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 1: it evolve and grow since the early beginnings of the foundation. 84 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 2: It has evolved a lot because now we have a 85 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:13,159 Speaker 2: larger community, we have different people approaching us because I 86 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 2: get a lot of prairies from care homes as well, 87 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 2: So there are loads of care homes who are, you know, 88 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:21,600 Speaker 2: kids bring for autistic people and sadly, again we come 89 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:24,159 Speaker 2: across the same thing, which is people who are working 90 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:28,120 Speaker 2: with autistic young adults or young children, they don't have 91 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:32,359 Speaker 2: adequate training on autism and how to support that autistic person. 92 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:35,840 Speaker 2: So that's when these organizations and care homes they approached 93 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 2: me and I delivered my training and I've also started 94 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:43,679 Speaker 2: in advocacy service because I realized a lot of parents 95 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 2: and their children were being let down by the system 96 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 2: because parents don't understand the system that. 97 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:52,839 Speaker 1: Well, can you give us an example of what you 98 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:55,279 Speaker 1: mean when you say they don't understand the system? 99 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 2: For example, you know, it could be school reports or 100 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 2: an EEDCP report, we have that in the UK. Here 101 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:05,720 Speaker 2: it's the Education and Healthcare Plan. Filling all of those questionnaires, 102 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 2: doing all of that is a lot of extra work 103 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 2: to start off with for a parent who's already caring 104 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:14,080 Speaker 2: for an autistic child. But how to navigate those things 105 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 2: that's another difficult area because not every parent is going 106 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:19,279 Speaker 2: to have all the time in the world to do 107 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 2: research and how do these bombs, what to say in 108 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 2: the EHCP plan and so on. So that's where I 109 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:28,159 Speaker 2: have been helping parents to get the right support because 110 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:31,359 Speaker 2: when we fill in the questionnaires properly, when we do 111 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:35,719 Speaker 2: everything accordingly and how it's supposed to be, then these 112 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,359 Speaker 2: children get the right support. So that's what I have 113 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:39,480 Speaker 2: also started doing. 114 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: How do you help bring more community awareness to autism 115 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,919 Speaker 1: not only here in the US, but the UK and worldwide. 116 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:52,279 Speaker 1: People still have this perception of what they think autism is. Yeah, 117 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:54,880 Speaker 1: but in real life it's not even close to what 118 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 1: it really is. So how do you help bring that 119 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 1: perception to the community so people can understand what autism is? 120 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 2: Again, this is what I will always say, Knowledge is power. 121 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 2: We only equip ourselves with the right knowledge as well. 122 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 2: At the same time, because there's so much out there 123 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 2: these days, especially with social media, anybody can say anything, 124 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 2: but is it actually true? You know? What is the 125 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 2: basis behind that? Was the research behind that? Are we 126 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 2: doing enough research to find out that message that I 127 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 2: heard on social media or on Instagram read? Was that 128 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 2: accurate enough? So that comes down to us really as 129 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 2: a community, we need to take that responsibility that we 130 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 2: need to educate ourselves properly, and we only need to 131 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:43,680 Speaker 2: trust the reliable sources like yourself, because you do your 132 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 2: research before you have your guests on, and you basically 133 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 2: are very well aware of what topics to talk about, 134 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,800 Speaker 2: so that you are spreading the awareness about autism. But 135 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 2: you're also spreading the right awareness. You are not going 136 00:07:56,680 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 2: on the basis of whatever anybody might say so to us. 137 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 2: But I try my best through social media or you know, 138 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 2: through any means that I have that I can spread 139 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 2: as much awareness as possible about autism. A lot of 140 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 2: people when they hear that Ahya has autism, they automatically 141 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 2: ask me, oh, what's your special interest? What's your superpower? 142 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 2: She must be so good at something specific because I 143 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:24,200 Speaker 2: know autistic people they excel in one area. Well, yes 144 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:27,280 Speaker 2: they do, but only a few autistic people excell in 145 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 2: one Yeah, okay, not everybody. Autism is not a superpower. 146 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 2: Whenever I hear this people saying, oh, autism is a superpower, 147 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 2: it really makes me upset because you're kind of highlighting 148 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:42,840 Speaker 2: just a few autistic people who are excelling, which is 149 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:45,200 Speaker 2: amazing and I'm so pleased with them. But for the 150 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 2: rest of the autistic people who are struggling every single 151 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 2: day due to the most simpler things, what about them? 152 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 2: Because all of these like people who don't know anything 153 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:58,199 Speaker 2: about autism, all they see is those clips of autistic 154 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 2: people excelling in one area. So when people ask me, 155 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 2: it really upsets me because you know, we are undermining 156 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 2: the difficulties Afia is going through every single day. It's 157 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 2: really hard for her, you know, begins to impairments. She's 158 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:14,200 Speaker 2: completely non verbal. I mean, imagine if somebody were to 159 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 2: put a tape on my mouth and I'm not able 160 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:19,120 Speaker 2: to explain myself or ask for things I want. How 161 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 2: frustrating that would be. So that's yeas life, and every 162 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:26,199 Speaker 2: autistic person's life who's nonverbal, and especially even those who 163 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 2: are verbal, they struggle to communicate. So imagine putting a 164 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 2: you know, tip a mastering tape across her mouth not 165 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 2: being able to communicate. That's an autistic person's life every 166 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:37,080 Speaker 2: single day. 167 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, exactly. If you was to pick one thing when 168 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 1: a person is starting to understand autism, they might be 169 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: finding that they are autistic, their child is autistic. What 170 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: is one thing they could focus on that could help 171 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 1: them so they could continue their journey to moving forward 172 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 1: in life. 173 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 2: Again, it will be pretty individual because some autistic people 174 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 2: will suffer with specific sensory impairments, for example, loud noises, 175 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:07,679 Speaker 2: and they will be fine in other areas of sensory 176 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 2: issues or sensory integration. It's very very specific to each 177 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 2: autistic individual, if we were to put it like that. 178 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 2: But when we look at autism, we always look at 179 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:20,680 Speaker 2: three areas. So you know, I always knew this, but 180 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:23,319 Speaker 2: when I was doing my adors to assess a training, 181 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 2: it was reconfirmed to me that what I'm doing and 182 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 2: teaching and what I know is accurate because during the 183 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 2: assessment of autism, we look at three areas. We look 184 00:10:32,640 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 2: at communication, real look social interaction, and we look at 185 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 2: repetitive behavior. So everybody on the spectrum, whether they're level one, 186 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:43,960 Speaker 2: level two, or level three, they will have impairments in 187 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 2: these three areas. So even the most verbal autistic person, 188 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 2: they may still have communication difficulties. So communication doesn't just 189 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:56,440 Speaker 2: mean talking, it also means understanding. They may be able 190 00:10:56,480 --> 00:11:00,319 Speaker 2: to talk, and to us it may seem like, Okay, 191 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 2: this person is many getting just fine, but are they 192 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:06,679 Speaker 2: understanding what I'm saying? Are they comprehending everything that I 193 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:09,680 Speaker 2: am saying. Are the understanding and applying that in real 194 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 2: life strategies? Probably not, because they have that communication with culte. 195 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:17,360 Speaker 1: Yes, one of the main things about this podcast is 196 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:20,880 Speaker 1: to help people understand and learn more. Yes, I believe 197 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: every week I can have a listener that is just 198 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 1: learning about autism. Can you explain the levels of autism 199 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 1: to these people that might not understand it? 200 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 2: Of course, yes. So let's start with level one, that's 201 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:36,760 Speaker 2: basically described as mild autism. Some people get offended when 202 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:39,360 Speaker 2: I say mild because apparently we're not supposed to use 203 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:42,199 Speaker 2: the word mild, moderate and SIBIA anymore. I don't believe 204 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:44,560 Speaker 2: in that. If it is mild level one, you know, 205 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 2: just just say say. It is just easier for people 206 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 2: to understand Level one is mild, isn't it. So if 207 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:54,720 Speaker 2: I were to look at somebody who is on level one, 208 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:57,959 Speaker 2: they would be veribble most of the times. So they 209 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:00,960 Speaker 2: will be communicating, they'll have some speed, But as I said, 210 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 2: communication doesn't just mean speech. You know, they may have 211 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 2: some impairment to understand what everybody's saying. They may take 212 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:10,160 Speaker 2: things literally all the time because they won't have the 213 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:12,640 Speaker 2: understanding of you know, looking at it from different point 214 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:17,679 Speaker 2: views and so on. They will definitely have social interaction difficulties. 215 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 2: I've never come across one autistic person who doesn't struggle 216 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 2: with social interaction. So even if you see that their 217 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 2: communication is good, I will know that person is autistic 218 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:30,160 Speaker 2: with their interaction. 219 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 1: Do a lot of people struggle with that interaction. 220 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:37,400 Speaker 2: Every autistic person really struggles with their interaction. And either 221 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 2: they don't know how to start the interaction. Because you 222 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 2: and I, you know, if you bump into each other, 223 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 2: we will we will start small chalk, Oh, how are 224 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 2: you to any long time? No see? And so on. 225 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 2: We can start a conversation without even thinking. But an 226 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 2: autistic person they may bump into the go hi, far 227 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 2: you and then what's next? Like they don't know what 228 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:59,080 Speaker 2: you say and how to keep that conversation going unless 229 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 2: I talk about some thing of their interest, then they 230 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:05,319 Speaker 2: will chalk forever. So every autistic person, they really struggle 231 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:08,560 Speaker 2: with interaction, even if they have the communication. And then 232 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 2: the third area that we look at is the repetitive behavior, 233 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 2: so they may say the same thing again and again. 234 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 2: And autism also comes with anxiety. So people who are 235 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 2: on level one, they are aware that there's something different 236 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:26,439 Speaker 2: about them because when they go out, they feel anxious. 237 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,320 Speaker 2: They're aware that, Okay, I'm not exactly the same as 238 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:32,680 Speaker 2: everybody else. My communication is a bit different, my interaction 239 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 2: is a bit different. So they become really aware that 240 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 2: they are different. Although they might be putting up a 241 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,840 Speaker 2: mask and blending into the world, but they're internally aware 242 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,360 Speaker 2: of that fact. So that creates a lot of anxiety 243 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 2: within them. So again, you know, we need to look 244 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 2: out for those scients. If anybody is listening who does 245 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:53,559 Speaker 2: not know what autism is and what level one is, 246 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:55,560 Speaker 2: those are the things that you can look out for. 247 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:58,960 Speaker 2: You know. Communication and social interaction is the main one 248 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,079 Speaker 2: that you will see and you will be able to 249 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 2: support an autistic person from the crowd from the interaction. 250 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 2: And we come to level two. So again, you know, 251 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 2: the more severe you are going to go towards the spectrum, 252 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:13,280 Speaker 2: then the more kind of difficulties you will have, the 253 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 2: more impairments, and the more sense to impairments that you 254 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,200 Speaker 2: will see in an autistic person. So I gave you 255 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:21,320 Speaker 2: an example of level one with communication and social interaction. 256 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 2: Just imagine that getting a little bit worse, you know, 257 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 2: so the communication will be a little bit more poor, 258 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 2: and the interaction will be harder, and they may have 259 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 2: more sense to impairments because they may really struggle in 260 00:14:33,280 --> 00:14:36,400 Speaker 2: a supermarket because it's a crowded area. There's more noises, 261 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:39,960 Speaker 2: there's more smells of different foods and so on. And 262 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 2: then come into the severe side of the spectrum, those 263 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 2: like Afya, they're completely nonlobal. You know, some severely autistic people. 264 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 2: They may have a few words here and that, but 265 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 2: it's not enough for them to communicate every single day. 266 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:56,040 Speaker 2: So as we go across the spectrum, the difficulties will 267 00:14:56,120 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 2: get more and more and so on. 268 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: You just mentioned anxiety. Yes, I recently expanded my podcast 269 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: to include mental health. I did that because I found 270 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: that a lot of mental health issues overlapped with autism. 271 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 1: Of course, some people just have anxiety, they get their 272 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:19,240 Speaker 1: medication and it is under control. Others have anxiety and 273 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 1: their autistic as well. Yeah, how do you number one, 274 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: diagnose the overlap? Once you find that overlap is there, 275 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 1: how do you help that autistic person better control their anxiety? 276 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:35,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, So the statistics show that more than half of 277 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 2: autistic people suffer from anxiety. So those are the steps. Basically, 278 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:45,680 Speaker 2: anxiety is really really high in the autistic population. That 279 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 2: is a given. When it's wort managing anxiety. There are 280 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 2: a number of strategies we can put in place to 281 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:57,360 Speaker 2: manage an autistic person's anxiety. So this one area I 282 00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 2: cover in my autism training and I emphasize on that 283 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 2: quite a lot, which is the reputitive behavior, which I 284 00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 2: talked about a few times now. A lot of people 285 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 2: think the repetitive behavior of an autistic person as an 286 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 2: impairment or as kind of like something negative. For example, 287 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 2: the autistic people, you know, anybody who has autism, they 288 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 2: thrive on doing the same thing again and again. First, 289 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 2: it makes sense to them because they're aware of what's 290 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 2: going to happen next, and that keeps the anxiety at bay. 291 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:31,520 Speaker 2: So it's easy for them to do the same thing 292 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 2: again and again, follow a specific routine, and that helps 293 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 2: to keep the anxiety manageable. A lot of people think 294 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:43,720 Speaker 2: if the autistic person is following a specific routine every 295 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 2: single day, we are making them more rigid. But I 296 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 2: look at it from another point of view, a completely 297 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 2: different point of view, and I say, look, autistic people 298 00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 2: will always want to follow a routine because it makes 299 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 2: sense to them, and hence, let's use that to help 300 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:05,400 Speaker 2: them manage their anxiety better. And we all are creatures 301 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:08,320 Speaker 2: of habit will occup us all human beings. If I 302 00:17:08,359 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 2: were to ask you, Tony, how do you get out 303 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 2: of bed every single morning? How do you get ready? 304 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:16,439 Speaker 2: Now you're forced to think how you do that? I 305 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:18,720 Speaker 2: can bet on it that you do it the same 306 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:23,359 Speaker 2: way every single day without been thinking sure, correct, right, yes? 307 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 2: And we all do that. The things that we do 308 00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:28,240 Speaker 2: every single day, we are not even having to think 309 00:17:28,280 --> 00:17:31,280 Speaker 2: about it. We do it on autopilot because we all 310 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:35,679 Speaker 2: rely on structure and routine without even realizing. You know, 311 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:38,360 Speaker 2: a long time ago, we sent that structure in our 312 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:41,199 Speaker 2: lives and we follow that. So it's the same for 313 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 2: autistic people. I come across a lot of professionals and 314 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 2: teachers and also at home. Parents are really concerned and 315 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,119 Speaker 2: teachers are concerned about the fact that this autistic person 316 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 2: is really rigid and they should adapt, change and they 317 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:58,320 Speaker 2: should do things differently. But I say, why what if 318 00:17:58,359 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 2: I come to your house and change everything? Would you 319 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 2: like it? No, you wouldn't. Nobody would because we all 320 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:08,399 Speaker 2: like a routine. We all rely on structure, but autistic 321 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:12,159 Speaker 2: people rely on structure more than anybody else because it 322 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 2: makes sense to them. If they've done it a few times, 323 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:17,639 Speaker 2: they know the pattern of doing it again, and they 324 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,119 Speaker 2: will carry on doing it, and it helps the anxiety 325 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 2: because they're not expecting the unexpected, you know, it really 326 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:28,200 Speaker 2: helps the anxiety. So putting in a routine, a structure 327 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 2: in an autistic person's life is the best way to 328 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:34,800 Speaker 2: manage their anxiety. I would really emphasize this to all 329 00:18:34,840 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 2: the professionals, all the parents that if an autistic person 330 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:40,399 Speaker 2: is rigid and they want to do things in a 331 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 2: specific way, let them it makes sense to them. Unless 332 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:46,639 Speaker 2: it's actually creating a very negative habit and it's becoming 333 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 2: a hindrance in their lives and everybody else's life, then 334 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:52,400 Speaker 2: of course change that. But if they are managing their 335 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 2: life better, they're happy, the anxiety is lower, let them 336 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 2: do it. 337 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: There's the harm in that exactly. Now, coming back to 338 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 1: your foundation, when you start a foundation, it is not easy, No, 339 00:19:05,680 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: not at all. What has been one of the toughest 340 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:12,680 Speaker 1: lessons you've learned in doing this. You started this foundation 341 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: understanding autism because of raising your daughter. So because of that, 342 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:20,560 Speaker 1: you knew certain things would happen and you understood it. 343 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:23,879 Speaker 1: But when you're starting a foundation and you're working with 344 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:28,440 Speaker 1: other people, there's challenges. You face bumps in the road. 345 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:32,439 Speaker 1: So what is one of the toughest lessons you've learned 346 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:33,400 Speaker 1: in this journey. 347 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:38,439 Speaker 2: My toughest lesson has been dealing with authorities. They have 348 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:44,160 Speaker 2: been the most difficult. Ever. My easiest clients are parents 349 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:48,120 Speaker 2: because I understand where they're coming from. They know I'm 350 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 2: a parent of a severely autistic child, and we jail 351 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 2: really well and so on. I work with a lot 352 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 2: of schools, I work with as I said, care sec sectors. 353 00:19:57,440 --> 00:20:00,159 Speaker 2: All of those times they have been easy enow. But 354 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 2: the toughest journey so far has been dealing with authorities 355 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:07,680 Speaker 2: because authorities are so rigid in their own way of 356 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:11,600 Speaker 2: not wanting any change. Because here I'm bringing change. I've 357 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 2: launched this book on toilet training. Authorities are not happy 358 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 2: about the fact that, oh, the Nates did not come 359 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:21,160 Speaker 2: up with a book. How come this mother has come 360 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,639 Speaker 2: up with the book. So authorities are finding it very, 361 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,200 Speaker 2: very difficult to accept. I have had some people from 362 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:28,560 Speaker 2: the NHS who recognize how good the book is, how 363 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:31,360 Speaker 2: good the method is. They have welcomed me into their 364 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:34,239 Speaker 2: hospitals and training other people over there, which has been 365 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 2: really nice. But the wider authority getting my message across 366 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 2: to them is really difficult because they're so rigid in 367 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:43,199 Speaker 2: their own ways and they don't accept change whatsoever. So 368 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:45,359 Speaker 2: that's been a huge challenge for me. 369 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 1: I can understand that any other challenges. 370 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:51,080 Speaker 2: Another challenge is now, as I said, I have started 371 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:53,520 Speaker 2: a go fund Me page for to branch out in 372 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:57,160 Speaker 2: the care sector and raising money for such a good cause. 373 00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 2: Actually this is a really good cause because we need 374 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:03,480 Speaker 2: to provide a safe place for autistic and disabled people 375 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:06,679 Speaker 2: and currently I'm sure Tony you are aware as well. 376 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 2: In the USA, in the UK, we see this in 377 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:12,160 Speaker 2: the news all the time. There is so much abuse 378 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 2: happening with aautistic and disabled people in these care homes, 379 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:19,600 Speaker 2: in these care sectors, and for parents like myself, we 380 00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:21,840 Speaker 2: live in the fear of of course, we're not going 381 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 2: to be in this world for the rest of our lives. 382 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,240 Speaker 2: What is going to happen to our children after we 383 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 2: are born. We live with this fear every single day. 384 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:31,679 Speaker 2: We see this in the news that these autistic and 385 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 2: disabled people who literally cannot speak and defend themselves our 386 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:38,240 Speaker 2: being abused. So what hope do we have. I am 387 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:42,160 Speaker 2: basically trying to create a safe place for these autistic 388 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:45,679 Speaker 2: and most wonderful people in our society. But sadly, not 389 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 2: many people are even supportive of this. Everybody turns a 390 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:52,000 Speaker 2: blind eye because as soon as we see some abuse 391 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 2: on the news, we just change the channel. We're like, Okay, 392 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 2: it's too hard to watch. I'm not going to watch 393 00:21:56,280 --> 00:21:58,880 Speaker 2: it anymore. Change the channel, brush it under the world 394 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 2: so that it's not there. Nobody knows about what's happening. 395 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:05,199 Speaker 2: Just parents like myself. We are really aware because it 396 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 2: affects our children and us. We watch that news doesn't 397 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:11,440 Speaker 2: matter how hard it is. So despite the fact that 398 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:14,280 Speaker 2: it is such an important cause, it's such a noble cause, 399 00:22:14,560 --> 00:22:17,679 Speaker 2: raising money has been really difficult. It's sad in a 400 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:20,040 Speaker 2: way because it just shows how much the world cares 401 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:23,919 Speaker 2: about vulnerable people. Sadly, you know, we are on our 402 00:22:23,960 --> 00:22:25,800 Speaker 2: own to be honest at the end of the day. 403 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's true. Whenever you hear a story, lots of time, 404 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:33,280 Speaker 1: stories will stay with you. Yeah, is there a child 405 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:36,479 Speaker 1: or a family that reminds you of why you do 406 00:22:36,520 --> 00:22:39,040 Speaker 1: this work, even on the harder days. 407 00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:40,639 Speaker 2: Is there a child or a family? 408 00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:43,119 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know what. 409 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 2: I have come across so many amazing parents, and I 410 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:50,439 Speaker 2: know their children through them. I don't directly get to 411 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:54,360 Speaker 2: work with the children because my primary role is working 412 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:58,159 Speaker 2: with the parents professionals and you know, other care sectors 413 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:01,560 Speaker 2: to train them on autism how to cater for people 414 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 2: with autism. But as I said, my favorite and my 415 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:07,639 Speaker 2: best times are these parents. And is there a specific parent. 416 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 2: I may not have a specific one, but I've got 417 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 2: so many amazing parents and we form such beautiful relationships 418 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,679 Speaker 2: because we all understand each other. We have fromed the 419 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:21,760 Speaker 2: beautiful community for each other and support network each parent. 420 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:25,399 Speaker 2: This is what I would say. They're working really hard. 421 00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 2: They are literally kind, the best and my kid, you not. 422 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:32,600 Speaker 2: I get to hear stories such as the child has 423 00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:35,760 Speaker 2: been awake since four o'clock in the morning, the parents 424 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:38,840 Speaker 2: have been on the go constantly, the mom hasn't had 425 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 2: a chance to have a meal, and the child constantly 426 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:45,439 Speaker 2: self harming and whatever, and they've only had four hours 427 00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:49,560 Speaker 2: of sleep. It's like these stories which are constant, and 428 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:53,399 Speaker 2: it's happening every single day. But the resilience these parents have, 429 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:57,520 Speaker 2: it's believable. It's so heart warming, it's lovely. But at 430 00:23:57,520 --> 00:24:00,640 Speaker 2: the same time it's just a sad story that these 431 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 2: people are going through so much, But at the same 432 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:06,000 Speaker 2: time their resilience is really inspiring. 433 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:11,200 Speaker 1: April is Autism Awareness Month and this episode will be 434 00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 1: in that month. 435 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:12,720 Speaker 2: Amazing. 436 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:16,480 Speaker 1: What do you feel is true inclusion when we have 437 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:20,679 Speaker 1: autism Awareness months? It goes so far past being aware 438 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:25,520 Speaker 1: of it. It is real inclusion in school work and communities. 439 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:28,400 Speaker 1: How do we get this across to people that there 440 00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:31,639 Speaker 1: needs to be more understanding than just more awareness. 441 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:35,160 Speaker 2: Yes, of course, and I really like that, Tony, what 442 00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:39,440 Speaker 2: you've said. So there needs to be exclusively as well as, 443 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:43,280 Speaker 2: you know, alongside awareness, because awareness on its own, what 444 00:24:43,320 --> 00:24:46,320 Speaker 2: are we achieving if you're not actually taking the next step, 445 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,720 Speaker 2: isn't it? So we have to dig the next step, 446 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 2: which is going to make a real life impact in 447 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:54,120 Speaker 2: an autistic person's life. Otherwise, awareness on its own isn't 448 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 2: really making an impact. To be honest, what I would 449 00:24:56,960 --> 00:25:00,239 Speaker 2: say is ask the autistic person if there were lin 450 00:25:00,359 --> 00:25:03,920 Speaker 2: up or ask their parents and families, how can we 451 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:07,840 Speaker 2: make this autistic person more inclusive in our community. That 452 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:10,440 Speaker 2: is the best way, because let's say you know, I'm 453 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:14,399 Speaker 2: a Muslim woman and I don't get to go go 454 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,400 Speaker 2: to the moss or somebody who is a church go 455 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:19,119 Speaker 2: go er. They may not be able to go to 456 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 2: the church because they are caring for their autistic son 457 00:25:22,840 --> 00:25:25,480 Speaker 2: or autistic daughter on a Sunday. If the church or 458 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 2: mass approaches them and they go, if you would like 459 00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:31,560 Speaker 2: to come, we would love to welcome you. How can 460 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:34,760 Speaker 2: we make it more inclusive for your daughter or your son? 461 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:38,360 Speaker 2: Then I can give them tips and advice. I can say, actually, 462 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:42,959 Speaker 2: can you tell everybody to manage their noises, or can you, 463 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:45,159 Speaker 2: you know, dim the lights a little bit because my 464 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:48,199 Speaker 2: child is quite sensitive to light, or can you have 465 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:50,960 Speaker 2: specific snacks because my child really likes it. Then they'll 466 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:53,560 Speaker 2: be happier if they see those snacks are there. Every 467 00:25:53,680 --> 00:25:57,879 Speaker 2: autistic individual is different, and to make the community more inclusive, 468 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 2: we need to take this first step off which out 469 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:03,639 Speaker 2: to these autistic people and their families and saying what 470 00:26:03,880 --> 00:26:06,600 Speaker 2: is the bare minimum we can do to make this 471 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:09,960 Speaker 2: autistic person and you feel more included in the community. 472 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 1: Now you've been doing this for a long time. You've 473 00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:16,360 Speaker 1: been raising your daughter almost eighteen years now. With all 474 00:26:16,400 --> 00:26:20,280 Speaker 1: the information that is out there about autism, all the 475 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:24,440 Speaker 1: conversations people have had about autism, what is the one 476 00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:28,119 Speaker 1: misconception that you think is still prevalent that needs to 477 00:26:28,119 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 1: be addressed. 478 00:26:28,920 --> 00:26:31,280 Speaker 2: As I was saying before, this comes from my mind 479 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:35,160 Speaker 2: again and again, the autism is a superpower. That misconception 480 00:26:35,359 --> 00:26:38,119 Speaker 2: really needs to go. Even if he the most able 481 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:41,919 Speaker 2: autistic person who's thriving, who has a special interest on 482 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:44,639 Speaker 2: social media, and you know, been doing very well in 483 00:26:44,680 --> 00:26:46,920 Speaker 2: their lives, even if you were to go and ask them, 484 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:50,000 Speaker 2: do you think autism is a superpower? They wy st No, 485 00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:53,880 Speaker 2: because they still have those challenges with anxiety. They will, 486 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:57,280 Speaker 2: They're bound to have challenges regardless of how they present 487 00:26:57,359 --> 00:27:02,119 Speaker 2: themselves because they have autism, and uh, yeah, it's not 488 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:05,760 Speaker 2: a superpower. I'm sorry guys, if in this offriend somebody, 489 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:09,320 Speaker 2: I really apologize because that's not my intention. This misconception 490 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 2: of ortism being a superpower. I think that needs to 491 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:12,399 Speaker 2: mis stopped. 492 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 1: How do people find you. 493 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:18,240 Speaker 2: So they can go on my website www dot Autism 494 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 2: Foundation dot co dot uk. I'm available on social media, 495 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 2: so Facebook, if they type in my name Farrier ers 496 00:27:25,720 --> 00:27:28,240 Speaker 2: they can find me there. If you type an autism 497 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:33,719 Speaker 2: foundation on Instagram, you'll find Autism Foundation. And I'm also 498 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:37,440 Speaker 2: on LinkedIn with my name Farrier Erh and we also 499 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:39,240 Speaker 2: have an Autism Foundation page. 500 00:27:39,280 --> 00:27:41,840 Speaker 1: What do you see in your future? What is next 501 00:27:41,960 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 1: for your foundation? What do you see on the horizon? 502 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:49,880 Speaker 2: So my driving force at the moment is working and 503 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:53,720 Speaker 2: expanding into the care sector. And I know it is possible. 504 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:56,760 Speaker 2: I know it's possible to hire good people who are 505 00:27:56,800 --> 00:28:00,520 Speaker 2: compassionate to work with autistic and disabled people. Well, I 506 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:03,960 Speaker 2: know that I can personally provide them adequate and high 507 00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:08,800 Speaker 2: quality training so they're well equipped to support an autistic 508 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 2: and disabled person. And I know that this change is possible. 509 00:28:12,280 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 2: It's not profit science, you know. We just need to 510 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:18,240 Speaker 2: invest money and time into the right area. So we 511 00:28:18,359 --> 00:28:22,199 Speaker 2: are enhancing the life of the service user. So that 512 00:28:22,359 --> 00:28:25,359 Speaker 2: is my big counted coming up. And I'm working really 513 00:28:25,359 --> 00:28:28,320 Speaker 2: hard behind the scenes. Not a lot is happening in 514 00:28:28,359 --> 00:28:30,840 Speaker 2: front of the scenes, Like at the moment, not many 515 00:28:30,880 --> 00:28:33,359 Speaker 2: people can see what I'm doing to do with the 516 00:28:33,359 --> 00:28:35,800 Speaker 2: care sector, but I'm having to work a lot behind 517 00:28:35,840 --> 00:28:39,440 Speaker 2: the scenes and hopefully everything will start SERVI scene very soon. 518 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:41,040 Speaker 1: Yeah. I hope so too. 519 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:41,480 Speaker 2: Well. 520 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:45,800 Speaker 1: This has been great, great information, great conversation. I really 521 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:48,160 Speaker 1: appreciate you taking the time to join me today. 522 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:49,760 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for having me. It's been a 523 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:51,640 Speaker 2: pleasure speaking with you, Ronnie. Thank you. 524 00:28:51,880 --> 00:29:01,120 Speaker 1: Oh, it's been my pleasure. Thanks again. Thanks for taking 525 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:03,719 Speaker 1: time out of your busy schedule to listen to our 526 00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:07,480 Speaker 1: show today. We hope you enjoyed it as much as 527 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 1: we enjoyed bringing it to you. If you know someone 528 00:29:11,480 --> 00:29:14,920 Speaker 1: who has a story to share, tell them to contact 529 00:29:15,000 --> 00:29:20,600 Speaker 1: us at whyomt World. One last thing, spread the word 530 00:29:20,720 --> 00:29:26,400 Speaker 1: about why not Me, our conversations, our inspiring guests that 531 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:30,120 Speaker 1: show you are not alone in this world.