Autism Awareness Month: Understanding and Celebrating Neurodiversity at Blue NRG

"It’s always better to ask what people need rather than to assume."

April is Autism Awareness Month, a fantastic opportunity for people in Australia and all over the world to raise awareness and promote understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This month is significant for those on the spectrum and their loved ones, as it provides a platform to share information, resources, and personal stories about autism.?

Over 205,000 Australians are autistic, and 1 in 4 Australians have a family member on the autism spectrum. From workplaces, schools, sporting clubs and more, neurodivergent people make up a big part of our community – which is why we must work together to create a kind and inclusive society.

At Blue NRG, our neurodivergent employees are a tremendous asset to our business, and we are proud to celebrate the many strengths they bring to their roles. We are committed to creating a workplace that reflects our commitment to acceptance and inclusivity by ensuring their voices are heard and empowered.?

To better understand what Autism Awareness Month means to someone living with autism, we spoke with Erin Reynolds, our Customer Experience Manager at Blue NRG, about her experience.

Diagnosed with ASD at a young age, Erin shares some common misconceptions about autism and offers insight on how we can all be more supportive and inclusive at home and in the workplace.

What does Autism Awareness Month mean to you?

For me, it’s a time of year when a lot of resources are more readily available. More people are talking about autism and sharing information on social media and the like.

I was diagnosed relatively young, so I have always had an explanation as to why things feel different for me compared to my peers. It's really important to help people build their toolkits of ways to cope with and celebrate what makes them different.

When autism is more widely spoken about and understood, people who have previously wondered ‘what’s wrong with me’ may be put on the right path to getting their diagnosis.

What do you wish more people understood about autism, and why?

So often, I receive comments like ‘…you’re only a little bit autistic’, and whilst people may mean well, this is incredibly offensive and often only reflects how little someone’s autism impacts those around them. While someone may seem like they are not struggling with eye contact, following instructions or picking up on social queues, this doesn’t mean that these things come easily to them.

Often, a huge amount of mental, physical and emotional labour is expended by people who are neurodivergent to limit the impact on those around us. We need to remember people present differently, and just because someone’s autistic traits don’t negatively impact you, this does not mean they aren’t something that they struggle with.

I wish more people understood that there is no ‘one size fits all’ list of symptoms or traits.

What are some challenges that you face as someone with autism, and how can people be more understanding and supportive of those challenges?

As an autistic person, I struggle with social anxiety and social interactions. Interpreting social queues and ‘reading between the lines’ does not come naturally to me.

People should remember that autistic people often learn through different neurological pathways or by creating new cognitive pathways. For example, someone with autism may struggle to understand why or how a neurotypical person has chosen to do something. People being understanding of this and pivoting their way of thinking or teaching can be incredibly helpful as it is often not a lack of intelligence, just the need for a difference in approach.

What resources or tools have been most helpful for you in managing your autism, and how can others access those resources?

I don’t think there is any way to ‘manage your autism’, but you can manage the expectations of those around you to act in a neurotypical manner. Knowing my triggers for overstimulation and burnout helps me manage the anxiety and exhaustion that can come from navigating a world that wasn’t built to accommodate neurodivergent people.?

How can Aussie businesses become more inclusive and accommodating of people with autism in the workplace?

Businesses can do more to support parents of children with additional needs, but we all need to be more comfortable talking about it first. Parents of young children with autism need more tools and resources to offer support rather than requiring a way to ‘manage’ their child in public spaces.

I would like business owners to know that what they perceive as rudeness, inattentiveness, or distraction may actually just be someone’s way of coping with overstimulation due to noise or lighting.

What role can each of us play in promoting autism acceptance and understanding in Australia?

It’s always better to ask what people need rather than to assume. The things that make us different don’t make us any less than our peers and are often our biggest strengths!

Autism Awareness Month is crucial for promoting awareness, acceptance, and understanding of autism spectrum disorder. By listening to those on the spectrum, we can learn how to be more inclusive of neurodiversity in all aspects of our lives. Let’s celebrate our differences and work towards making Australia more accepting and understanding. For more information about Autism visit https://www.amaze.org.au/.

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