Event Info Autism is more than just a set of unusual behaviours. Autism is more than just having difficulties with social skills, communications and flexible thinking. What is it like to experience a world where the inner world is more real than the outer world? A world where undefinable human experiences are abstractions? A world without a physical body, without time and space, without the concept of individuality and being. A world where only infinite consciousness abides, watching for eternity. Isn’t the point of communication just to share facts? What is this human experience called love? Why is my biological mother supposed to be special? Why are the NeuroTypicals so deceptive, refusing to share their secrets? Why are they always telling us that we are strange and illogical, while they themselves behave so strangely and illogically? Singapore’s first autistic autism advocate invites everyone to find out more about his experience of autism. Eric Chen is Singapore’s first autistic autism advocate and writes at http://iautistic.com/. --- With increased ‘awareness’ about Autism in recent years, what exactly have we learned and how resonant is this awareness with actual lived-experience? What happens if we look at the deficits-focused medical model of Autism from a different perspective? In this brief session, Dr. Dawn-joy Leong will share some insights from her research and multi-arts practice on Autism, and how a polymathic approach may encourage and enhance Autistic wellbeing and learning. Dr. Dawn-joy Leong is an Autistic researcher and artist in Autism, Neurodiversity and Multi-Art praxis. --- Autism is characterised as not only difficulties in social communication, but also sensory sensitivities. These sensitivities can manifest as dislike of certain objects and sensory stimuli often experienced daily, including labels on clothes, strong scents and smells, and loud discordant sounds in the environment. Sensory likes and dislikes (or love and hate) can be extremely selective, and it is rare individuals could have totally similar preferences. While sensory challenges and the resulting challenging behaviours and management are often seen as a hallmark weakness and concern of autistic people, the presence of sensitivities can indicate potential for strengths and talents in the sensory explorations of the person in similar arenas. I learnt to embrace my unique ways of learning and understanding my world through the senses. My involved engagement in activities that are sensorily-stimulating has opened opportunities for me in academics, career development and community engagement. Sensory challenges can mean opportunities. I believe all autistic people should embrace their uniqueness to educate others and show other how to more positively appreciate the smaller, finer things in life and the world around them. James Chan Weng Yan is currently working as an Inclusion Consultant at Asia-Europe Foundation. Registration for this event has closed. |