Gala to raise awareness for autism

CORE Autism and Disability Services will celebrate Autism Awareness Day with an inclusive gala on Wednesday, April 2.

The inaugural event will feature speakers living with autism in the Geelong community, sensory friendly spaces, a screening of two neurodivergent short films and a fundraising raffle.

Core Autism and Disability Services director Jess Bellia said this is the first time they’ve held the gala, normally celebrating the day with a more informal acknowledgement.

“We felt that for the fact it is actually Autism Awareness Day, that we could actually bring some awareness to the community on what autism actually is,” she said.

“What we’re actually hoping is to do this as an annual event and have different community members each year come and share their experiences.”

The gala will also raise funds for the running of social groups and day programs organised by the disability service for people who don’t meet NDIS funding requirements or are experiencing financial hardship.

Ms Bellia said inclusion and acceptance is a massive part of these kinds of events and they are hoping to get the community engaged.

“One of the things that we’re really hoping is to give people an understanding…[of] how [people with autism can] struggle in different circumstances in the world.

“It’s not that they’re trying to be difficult, they’re just finding the environment or the situation to be extremely challenging and that’s because their brain is different.

“When you see someone in the community that’s struggling or might not interact with you the same as others do, have a little bit more kindness and maybe approach it with curiosity over judgement.”

The Geelong Autism Awareness Day Gala will be held at the Geelong Library from 6pm until 8pm.

For tickets and more information, head to eventbrite.com.au