The charity aims to harness the national campaign to get more islanders talking about autism this April. Its CEO Julia Watts said it hopes to generate more of a holistic understanding outside of the charity’s services, to help the hundreds of local autistic youngsters thrive in their community.
‘Children become adults, and many children with autism go on to work in medicine or finance,’ she said.
‘They often have incredible concentration and memory skills – if I need a surgeon or anaesthetist, I would want somebody with that hyper-focus. That’s the bit that people don’t see.’
Though Autism Guernsey offers extensive help and services dedicated to parents and carers of young people with autism, it feels that more awareness, acceptance and support could come from the general public.
‘We currently need £400,000 a year to deliver the services that we have,’ she said.
‘Of course we would like to deliver them to absolutely everybody in the community – regardless of whether they even know somebody with autism – but we just can’t, we don’t have the resources. Hopefully throughout this month, we’ll raise more acceptance.’
Itayi Chibaya, who has lived in the island for 10 years, has chosen to run the London Marathon in support of Autism Guernsey and Wigwam, so far raising £2,023 for Autism Guernsey alone. He said the two charities have been invaluable support for him and his wife in raising their six-year-old autistic son, Kutenda.
‘From the time we started noticing differences in our son – he had a delay in speech and wouldn’t play with others – there really wasn’t much information on autism,’ he said.
‘We were searching for help, and had to wait a while to get him assessed. It’s hard to deal with it without knowing more.’
Though he feels better equipped with knowledge now, thanks to Autism Guernsey and other local charities, Mr Chibaya said his main challenge still lies in the community, with many people showing his family little or no empathy, let alone support.
‘It’s one thing to go through the process of having your child diagnosed, to accept and understand that as parents, learn what’s required, and get referred to these amazing charities for support,’ he said.
‘But the community need to understand it as well. We can’t go with our child to some parties. It’s too hard. We’ll be struggling in a situation where he’s crying, and people start passing comment – telling us we’re being too soft.
‘Many people have a different view of what autism is, they say people are just over-diagnosed and that it’s not a real thing. If you’re not exposed to autism, you really don’t know much about it at all. That’s where Autism Guernsey comes in. They’ve given my wife and me the right support, and really helped us to not be anxious about certain things.’
Through the charity’s Early Birds course, practical advice, learning resources and continued help, Mr Chibaya now feels better able to connect with his son. After two Guernsey Marathons and one London Marathon three years ago, Mr Chibaya is also well prepared for his upcoming challenge on 26 April. He is inspired to continue learning, and help raise awareness by sharing his experience with the community and friends.
‘It’s a process, you can’t rush people with it,’ he said.
‘If you’re too bothered by the word “autism”, then just take it as “someone who is different” instead. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just different.’
Mum of two Helen Deane said Autism Guernsey had helped her to feel less alone in parenthood. Her eight-year-old son, Charlie is on the diagnosis pathway for autism and ADHD, and her 13-year-old daughter, Aurora is autistic – and was happily volunteering at the charity pop-up outside Savills this week, chatting to passers-by and handing out cakes, donated by Cook.
‘So many people see it as a disability and a stigma,’ she said.
‘It’s not at all. Just like some people like the colour pink and some don’t – they are different. There are some mornings that I can’t get Aurora out of the car, or she’s having a meltdown, or lashing out because she’s overwhelmed. But when she’s comfortable and happy, like today, she can do whatever she wants and no one would know.
‘There’s only one rule at the Autism Guernsey parents’ course – you don’t talk about it outside of parents’ course. It’s a safe, lovely environment where people really open up. It’s so nice to hear as parents that others are going through the same struggles, and that your kids aren’t the only kids behaving this way.’