Understanding autism

A REMARKABLE Bendigo family will provide an insight into their shared autism experiences later this month during a seminar at The Bendigo Club.

Daniel Giles OAM, autistic self-advocate and his father Daryl will speak about Daniel’s path through life so far, while sister Leash will also provide a sibling’s perspective.

“We present about various aspects of my life journey including diagnosis, childhood, my education journey from special school to achieving honours at university, employment and independent living,” Daniel said.

“The seminar also includes a sensory overload activity to help the audience have a better understanding of what sensory overload is like for an autistic person, as well as an opportunity to ask questions.”

Daniel said his advocacy, which has included sitting on various boards and advisory committees, comes from a motivation to “give back to the community”.

“I also wanted others around me to better understand me,” he said. “Following the inspiration of Wenn Lawson and Temple Grandin (well-known autism advocates).

“I presented for the first time at a special education conference when I was 13 years old, and then presented at staff meetings and my homeroom group at school.

“Over the past 20 years, I have shared my story to disability groups, educators and at seminars and conferences.”

“In 2017, my father Daryl joined me on the stage for the first time to speak at the Asia Pacific Autism Conference in Sydney to share the parent perspective.

“We’ve since launched our From Diagnosis to OAM seminar series and have travelled around Australia and internationally sharing our story from a parent and self-advocate perspective.”

From Diagnosis to OAM – A Personal Autism Journey takes place at the Bendigo Club on Thursday, 25 May from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Tickets are available via bit.ly/3NQShDS.