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Autism is a 'hidden disability'
The mother of an autistic teenager is asking the public to think differently about those who live with the condition.
"We need to teach children to embrace differences instead of assuming that someone is a freak because they are not the same as everyone else," said Mel Roach, mum to 13-year-old Megan, who was diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome (AS), a form of autism, three years ago.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which occurs in varying degrees of severity.
More than 500,000 people live with the condition in the UK today, and at least 800 of those people, including Megan, are living in Wigan.
Megan attends a mainstream school and looks just like any 13-year-old school girl.
But her hidden disability means that she behaves considerably differently to those around her which, her mum says, can lead to misunderstandings and often bullying.
Mel, from Atherton, decided to speak out to coincide with the launch of a campaign by the National Autistic Society (NAS) which aims to raise awareness about the condition.
Mel, 48, said: "Having an older daughter, I knew something was different about Megan when she was very young. She would do things in a very particular way, such as putting her clothes on, and we were told that she would often shout out in class instead of putting her hand up. Primary school was a very difficult time.
"No one picked up on her problems, and it was often misconstrued as bad behaviour when, in fact, she wasn't being obstructive to the teachers intentionally. It is hard for people to understand that it is not because she is naughty or the way she has been brought up."
Megan saw three educational psychologists at school, but the answer was always the same.
Mel said: "They kept saying she was immature for her age and would eventually develop, but of course she didn't. It was only after she was referred to a psychiatrist that she was diagnosed as having AS.
"We were relieved when we found out because we had an answer, and also because we were then able to access help."
Megan started to attend an Aspirations youth group in Stretford, run by the Autistic Society Greater Manchester Area (ASGMA), enabling her to meet and form very close friendships with other children with AS.
But despite the apparent breakthrough and Megan's acceptance that she has a disability, life away from the youth group is difficult, as fellow pupils, and sometimes teachers, fail to understand her condition.
Mel said: "Megan has endured physical, mental and verbal bullying and if it isn't dealt with properly it becomes like the ripples on a pond, spreading wider and wider.
"I would like to see more acceptance and understanding of people with autism. Inclusion in schools still has a long way to go and I don't think basic training is enough.
"I would urge everyone not to judge people too quickly. "
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
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