12 Wairarapa Midweek Opinion Wednesday, April 13, 2022 EDITORIAL
MIDWEEK PHOTOS
Opinion
Acceptance the way forward April is Autism Acceptance Month. As someone with many close friends who are autistic, and as a member of the neurodiverse community, it’s a cause dear to my heart. Autism, a neurodevelopmental condition, is typically characterised by struggles with social communication, preference for routine, sensory hypersensitivity, and atypical speech. Autism also brings many strengths: honesty, innovative thinking, pattern recognition, and excellent memory, to name a few. The te reo for “autistic” is “takiwatanga” - literally translating as “in their own time and space”. Awareness of autism has increased in recent years. However, as the autistic community rightly argues, awareness is half the battle. “Awareness is knowing somebody has autism,” says Christopher Banks, CEO of the Autism Society of America. “Acceptance is when you include them in your activities and help them develop in their communities.”
Have you got a photo you want to share with Wairarapa?
Young(ish), scrappy & hungry
Whether it’s a reader photo, a cutie, or a snap of you with your Midweek, email it to midweek@age.co.nz with ‘Midweek Photo’ in the subject line, and it could be featured in this segment.
Erin Kavanagh-Hall
CUTIE OF THE WEEK
In Aotearoa, takiwatanga face many barriers. Children struggle to navigate an education system built around neurotypical brains. Support services can be inaccessible. It’s estimated only 10 percent of autistic New Zealanders work fulltime. As psychologist and neurodiverse advocate Dr Nancy Doyle put it, many difficulties autistics face would be reduced if people “simply understood their neurobiology and accommodated it”. In education, this could be providing low sensory spaces, ear plugs to help tune out distracting noises, and clear visual instructions. Public spaces, like supermarkets, can offer “quiet hours” (as Countdown has done), reducing stimuli like bright lights and loud noises. Takiwatanga can thrive at work when businesses
use straightforward communication, offer mentorship, and foster supportive, inclusive workplace cultures. To use a terrible cliché, it’d be a dull world if we were all the same. If we’re committed to as a colourful a society as we claim, that involves celebrating the rich diversity all neurotypes contribute. Not dismissing takiwatanga as naughty kids or “risky” employees - but accepting their identities, acknowledging their challenges, and providing the tools they need to succeed. I’ll end with a quote from Dr Temple Grandin, autistic scientist, author one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People: “The most interesting people…are ones that don’t fit into your average cardboard box. They’ll make what they need — they’ll make their own boxes.”
The Wairarapa Midweek is subject to New Zealand Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing to the editor’s email address. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P.O Box 10-879, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www. presscouncil.org.nz. Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.
Seamus Choat, age 2, has a blast on the tyre swing at his Dad’s work. Proud mum Siobhan Choat sent in this super cute photo. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
NEXT-GENERATION S ER
G
N KI
TA
RD
O
FORD RANGER
THE HOTLY ANTICIPATED RANGER IS ALMOST HERE
BRING ON TOMORROW
With a host of intuitive driver-assist technologies and beautifully simple design features, the All-New Ford Escape effortlessly compliments your active lifestyle. · Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection · Wireless charging · FordPass Connect · Adjustable rear seats offer flexible space when you need it
NOWBi-Turbo HERE 2.0L Diesel – 3.0L V6 Diesel – 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo Petrol
Fagan Motors Fagan MotorsLtd Ltd
Dixon Street, Masterton Masterton 75 75 Dixon Street, Jason Farley
Nick McGruddy
0274 088 897 0275 600 836
Tom Kirkland
027 546 9300
Terence O’Hara
0274 438 872
378 6159 P P378 6159
www.faganmotors.co.nz www.faganmotors.co.nz
Proud vehicle sponsors of
