by Lorraine Gibson.

“Art, as it does for many autistic people, helps me understand myself and the world.”
The words of an autistic artist who fought for her son’s diagnosis and is now urging people to join a new awareness campaign by a Dorset-based charity.
Deborah Goatley-Birch, diagnosed as autistic at 41, spent six years seeking a diagnosis of autism for her son Danny, now 17 and, as Artist in Residence at the specialist Portfield School in Christchurch, operated by Autism Unlimited, she’s sharing her own experiences as part of its new campaign: Autism, the same, but different.
“It invites people, both neuro-diverse and neuro-typical, to share life experiences on our forum, positive and negative, and to come up with tips for how everyday life can be improved,” says Deborah.

“Autism in its many forms is complex. “But better understanding of what makes autistic people both different and the same as everyone else is of huge benefit to us all.
“Through the campaign we are saying: ‘Let’s spare a minute from our busy lives, take a breath, have a cuppa and sit and learn about someone else, their story, their life experience and perhaps see life through a different lens’.
“I believe that with more kindness and more conversations we can learn about each other, appreciate our differences and create a more inclusive world.”
Deborah, from Hampshire,
sought a correct diagnosis of autism for Danny, while caring for four small children alone.
“This was a very traumatic time for me – and him.
“I constantly asked myself what I was doing wrong to prevent people seeing what I was seeing.
“It’s my dearest wish to share my experiences, to increase our understanding
so autistic people and their families can lead the lives they deserve.
“Deborah believes her own autism is a gift to her art, giving her the ability to hyper-focus and enabling her to see things which many neuro-diverse people might not notice.
“A piece which I produced
after Danny’s eventual diagnosis, is Form, an acrylic on paper collage of some of the official letters I received during those years.
“These letters were so impersonal and detached.
“Yet, they were about my child, my own flesh and blood. In putting them together and on display they became a kind of residue or skin I was able to shed after his eventual diagnosis.
“I’m extremely proud to be part of Autism, the same, but different and am looking forward to reading the stories and comments people share.”
Siún Cranny, the CEO of Autism Unlimited, said: “We feel privileged to benefit from both Deborah’s huge talent and her knowledge of what it is like to be an autistic person in a largely neuro-typical world.
“Her personal story and stunning art form an important part of what we hope will be a highly-effective campaign.”

Read the stories and comment on the Autism, the same, but different, forum at:
www.autism-unlimited.org/forum/