Women and girls were the focus on World Autism Awareness Day, observed on 2 April: a segment of the global population that faces “multiple challenges,” as UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated in his message for the Day.

Speaking at the commemorative event in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber, Alison Smale, head of Global Communications at the UN, outlined some of the many forms of discrimination women and girls with autism face.

“They are denied equal access to education and employment, to healthcare services, justice and equal recognition before the law, and they are far too often denied the freedom to make their own choices,” she stated.

The UN Headquarters event included breakout panels exploring issues that have an impact on women and girls with autism such as gender disparity in diagnosis, racism and sexism, as well as the heightened risks they face of violence, sexual exploitation and abuse.

American actress Dakota Fanning, star of the autism-themed film ‘Please Stand By,’ was among the panellists, who came from as far away as South Africa, Iceland and Poland.

Julia Bascom, Executive Director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, provided an overview of the state of women and girls with autism.

She said they are diagnosed much less frequently than men and boys, and often much later in life: sometimes only after bringing in their own children for assessment.

“The diagnostic criteria for autism are normed off of four-year-old white boys in upper middle-class families in the United States,” she reported. “So, anyone who doesn’t fit in that box has an uphill climb.”

With one child in 160 on the autism spectrum, Ambassador Mahmoud Saikhal of Afghanistan stressed the need to fight stigma and promote inclusion, but also to highlight the contributions made by people with autism.

He gave examples such as Eileen Parker, inventor of a weighted blanket that helps some people with autism to feel calm enough to fall asleep, and Dr. Temple Grandin, a leading advocate.

“Events like this help to give a voice to those who may otherwise be left behind,” he said, reading a statement on behalf of Miroslav Lajčák, the President of the UN General Assembly.

Ensuring that no one is left behind is the promise of the Sustainable Development Agenda for a more just and equitable future that world leaders have committed to bring about by 2030.

Ms. Smale, the UN official, called for giving women and girls with autism a direct role in policy making on matters that concern them.

“To achieve the inclusive society to which we aspire, we must ensure that the fundamental rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by Member States at the UN in 2006, are known and respected and are recognized as applying to everyone, including women and girls with autism,” she said.

Though based in the US, the non-profit Autistic Self Advocacy Network – Ms. Bascom’s organization – works to empower people with autism globally, under the rallying call of ‘Nothing About Us, Without Us!’

“As a society we still see autism as a negative, sad, scary thing. But for autistic women, an autism diagnosis can be a tool for empowerment,” she told the UN audience.

“It’s an answer, it’s an explanation, it’s a way out of cycles of self-blame and guilt. It’s a passport to an entire community. And if we’re lucky, it’s a connection to the understanding, support and services we need in order to truly thrive –sometimes for the first time in our lives.”

This article originally appeared on Look to the Stars.

The post Dakota Fanning Joins UN To Celebrate Voice And Visibility Of Girls With Autism appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.

During her concert at the Manchester Arena in England in March, the 27-year-old invited Emily Tammam, 12, to come on stage with her to sing a duet of “Someone Like You.” Emily was spotted by Adele by holding up a sign that said it’s her dream to sing on stage with the star.

Tammem belted out the first verse of Adele’s hit in impressive fashion as she received a roar of applause from the excited audience.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Emily has autism, ADHD and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type 3, which is a disorder that affects connective tissue. That didn’t stop her from belting out the tune in front of thousands of fans. She was also a contestant in “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2014.

Emily’s disorders make her uncomfortable in some social situations, but her father Ray Tammam told ITV News Grenada that she is always comfortable on the stage.

“Emily sometimes struggles with a lot of social situations especially with small crowds of people or things where she has to do something,” Ray said. “But since she was two years old, she’s been singing and gone on a few stages and sang quite happily and shows an incredible calmness when she’s on. I knew she’d be singing.”

Watch Emily’s performance with Adele below:

The post Adele Invites 12-Year-Old Fan with Autism to Sing On Stage: What Happens Next is Awesome! appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.

“They were hogging the ball, running away with the ball,” says Jonathan. “They were telling them they didn’t want to play with them. The [kids with autism] were kinda sad. They were bummed.”

Kelleher, who has a brother with autism, felt he should do something about the situation. “I wouldn’t want them to look at him like he is different,” he says. “I would want them to look at him like he’s a person.” So he began asking for used sports equipment to be donated so the special needs students could have their own to use. “I don’t like making people feel like they were left out,” Kelleher says. His mother also posted her son’s new initiative on Facebook to ask for footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, tennis balls, and kick balls.

Word reached Silverado High School Principal Heather Conkle who decided to also contribute to this great cause. For every donation Jonathan receives, the she will purchase one in return. It’s a joint effort to make Silverado a place that welcomes everyone. Conkle also found a vacant classroom where the equipment could be stored, which is quickly beginning to pile up.
The goal is to provide every kid their own ball and the school will collect any old sports equipment. They are hoping to receive a few hundred balls by December and it looks like they’re well on their way.

“I didn’t want it to get this big,” Jonathan says humbly, “because I’m shy.” Despite his humility, Jonathan’s big heart and enormous courage are making a difference on the high school campus, and will certainly be an example to many teenagers about the importance of seeing one another through the lens of kindness, not difference.

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