Niamh Talks Autism

When you are researching for your MEd in Autism and discover the biggest cause of mania in 1800s Belfast was 'Disappointment in love.' Never knew we were such romantics! 🤣

Delighted to see a young autistic person being successfully supported into work! But far more of this is needed, especially in NI!

Can your company do more to support autistic people into the workforce?

Co Down man with autism says first full-time job has 'rebuilt his self-esteem' Through charity Stepping Stones NI, Lewis was able to build his employability skills before landing his role at Dankse Bank Lisburn

One week after launching, I have found that:

1. People are lovely and really supportive when you are entering the business world

2.There is a lot of worry about what an autistic son/daughter/niece/ nephew/ grandson/granddaughter is going to do once they leave school

3. Many businesses want to support neurodiverse people but aren't sure how to go about it (answer: AutismOnScreen!)

4. I am in danger of falling back into the caffeine addiction I had as a teenager

Want to make businesses aware that services are now available to help them? Share and tell them to email [email protected] or visit our website https://autismonscreen.com/

Homepage - AutismOnScreen What do we offer? Film & TV Consulting and training to create accurate representation of autistic characters. One-to-one support for autistic actors pre and post auditions and on set. Details Business Consulting services, interview accessibility, staff training and much more available for businesses...

Niamh Talks Autism updated their website address.

🎉🎉🎉Its launch day!!!🎉🎉🎉

AutismOnScreen is a go! 🙌 🙌

Consulting and training services for Businesses and Film & TV!

It’s been an incredible journey so far, as I learned how to start and run a business and met so many amazing people! Looking forward to where this journey will now take me to! 😃

Check out my website and please share to let people know these services are now available!!!
https://autismonscreen.com/

Homepage - AutismOnScreen What do we offer? Film & TV Consulting and training to create accurate representation of autistic characters. One-to-one support for autistic actors pre and post auditions and on set. Details Business Consulting services, interview accessibility, staff training and much more available for businesses...

Let's celebrate World Autism Awareness Week!

It's always fantastic fun getting involved with schools and pupils as they celebrate their autistic classmates and host incredible activities! Delighted to be a part of my local schools celebrations.

This year is even more special to me as I'll be launching my business AutismOnScreen this Thursday!!

Have a brilliant week everyone!

Super excited to be announcing the launch of my business AutismOnScreen coming Thursday March 31st!

AutismOnScreen is a training and consulting business aimed at supporting two main industries – the Film & TV industry with creating accurate autistic characters on screen and enhancing accessibility to allow for autistic actors in auditions and behind the scenes careers. The business sector in NI can also be heavily supported by AutismOnScreen, helping them to become future-ready as the rate of autism increases and the needs and wellbeing of their upcoming workforce changes.

Please sign up at the landing page here https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/hfeE1Cb/AutismOnScreenLandingPage
to be one of the first to gain access to the site and our services!

Sign Up Sign Up Here!

Following very closely as MLAs discuss the Autism Bill.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-northern-ireland-politics-59323171

Stormont Live: MLAs are briefed on the Autism Bill - BBC News Evidence from the Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Board on the Autism Bill

Very happy to have been invited to speak at Hazelwood Integrated College on Tuesday past, training the new classroom assistants in dyslexia and support for pupils. A brilliant AEN department in a brilliant school, always seeking to improve what they can offer their students!

Incredible work by Lynn Smith and her son Aaron raising awareness of autism in Belfast primary schools through donations of the book 'Ways to Be Me.'

The lack of understanding about autism in primary schools sets the tone of how pupils will perceive their autistic peers throughout their academic career.

Early education is needed to promote understanding, patience and acceptance for all pupils regardless of seen or unseen differences.

https://t.co/lefiMMHmtP

Belfast mum inspired by son hopes to raise autism awareness in local schools "We are just trying to encourage everyone to understand autistic young people for who they are and see their strengths rather than focusing on things that they find difficult"

Incredible opportunities for autistic students at QUB -paid internships across a number of sectors including the National Trust, Danske Bank, Early Years, Finnebrogue Artisan, Glen Dimplex and GetSociable.



https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/Informationforstudentswithdisabilities/EmployAutismInternshipProgramme/

Employ Autism Internship Programme | Student Guidance Centre | Queen's University Belfast We’re working with the charity Ambitious about Autism and Santander Universities UK to enable autistic students and graduates to access paid internships and tailored careers support and advice.

Delighted to be the winner of Santander Universities Unpreneur Grant at Ulster University!

This grant will allow me to move forward with creating my products – guide books tailored to autistic learners, supporting them and their families with daily and educational tasks.

Thank you so much Santander UK and Ulster University Enterprise Centre for this brilliant opportunity!

Beautiful video focusing on the journey of parents of autistic children. Your child is your child, no matter what.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VVX9kkqD_0

Autism Awareness: A Mother Knows Speak up against the stigmatisation of people living with Autism and other developmental disorders.Rally support for education and job opportunities for peop...

Good news for England with an investment of £75 million and additional supports in place for people with autism. In NI, politicians have been squealing about sausages and pushing the Stormont soap opera to new levels of ridiculousness.

We're still waiting for the Autism Act of 2011 to be put in effect.




https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/news/investment-in-support-for-autistic-people?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=autismstrategy&utm_content=news&fbclid=IwAR3NhUMCUAMxb-i9rxwV947wpnq5G3HOfQgmXq3kBeJ14fq_vbaSHmGuoxI

Government invests millions in better support for autistic people in England The Government has promised to tackle long diagnosis waiting times in the new autism strategy for England, after successful campaigning from National Autistic Society supporters. This strategy represents the biggest investment in England’s autistic people ever.

My brother doesn’t leave the house. Lockdown had absolutely no impact on him. We celebrated his 29th birthday last week and did the same thing we’ve done every birthday since childhood – Chinese food and cake.
He has never worked. Work experience was a disaster. There was nothing to help our parents help him into the workplace and there was nothing for the school to suggest. Most of our support services are for children, particularly for children in full time education.
He will never work. If you have a child with autism, imagine them at their worst. Now imagine them taller, stronger and without the routine of school. Imagine your autistic child as the autistic adult they will become. You have probably tried not to think about that. As someone with experience in this, I can tell you – if your autistic child/sibling falls into routine at home once they finish school, it will be one of hardest fights in your family trying to change that.
My brother has had the same routine for ten years. He’s happy with this. To say that trying to make the smallest changes are met with resistance and aggravation is a massive understatement. I think about how funny he is, how creative and feel miserable because the world is missing out on him.
I don’t want this to be the future of our young people. I don’t want to see more children cycle out of school without families feeling confident on what the next step is. We need every scrap of help we can get. Check with your schools – do they have a transition into the workplace program for your child? If not, tell them they need one! Contact your MLA – we need full implementation of the Autism Act if you and your family are going to get the help you are entitled to.

Has your local cinema re-opened the autism friendly screenings? This week has been great for cinema, but I have noticed an absence of autism friendly screenings and lack of reference to when they will be restored. I'd be interested to hear if that is the case across different areas.

New figures released today! 1 in 22 school age children now have an autism diagnosis in NI. Having spoken to a number of parents recently, I am aware that some families are now being referred for private assessments as the lists have grown far too long. This ratio will only grow closer within the next couple of years.

The Autism Strategy is desperately needed. Ten years later, our children are still waiting.





Read the report here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/prevalence-autism-including-aspergers-syndrome-school-age-children-northern-ireland-2021

The prevalence of autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) in school age children in Northern Ireland 2021 | Department of Health This annual report aims to show the prevalence rate of autism amongst the compulsory school age population. Analyses are provided by health and

Fantastic chat this morning with Thomas Drake and Ursula Moffitt – two of the co-founders of auLIFE.

Currently in development, this app will offer essential support to young autistic adults in the transition from school to workplace and building skills necessary for independence.

Super excited about this project and can’t wait to hear more from the team!

Tremendously enjoyed last night’s webinar ‘Supporting the Autistic Community,’ with Lydia X.Z. Brown and Carol Greenburg. A lot of discussion about lack of support and testing bias against autistic people of colour and non-traditional gender roles/sexual dispositions. I also found the history of autism and the journey for rights in America fascinating. I look forward to attending future talks with these speakers.

Regarding my earlier post - I contacted Cllr McMullan to ask for details. No information will be available for the next few months.

"The motion was for the Council to join Autism NI’s Impact Award scheme and upon achieving it would hold champion status. So a report is due back on how the council will go about working with Autism NI to take part in that scheme."

As I mentioned earlier, the fact that autism is on Belfast City Council's agenda is a good step. I am now looking into the scheme itself and examining how it has been used to raise autism awareness/acceptance.

Cllr McMullan has invited me to send him any questions or thoughts. I will be sending my thoughts along with the questions/thoughts of anyone else who wishes to contribute. Please feel free to comment below.

Belfast City Council is aiming to be an Autism Champion, making "an accessible Belfast for all by 2035." This has been pushed forward by Alliance Councillor Ross McMullan . A good step forward, however no detail has been released as to how this target will be achieved. For all you parents and young people, what would make Belfast more accessible for children and adults with autism? Or is our attention better spent in other areas?



https://www.irishnews.com/news/council/2021/03/22/news/belfast-council-agrees-to-autism-champion-for-the-city-2264050/

Belfast council agrees to autism champion for the city Belfast council agrees to autism champion for the city