More research.

http://vimeo.com/52193530

This video is a great portrayal of how an autistic individual may feel in social situations. I will refer back to this if I'm ever stuck for ideas.

Investigating further

35

5 quotes

1. “Through the blur, I wondered if I was alone or if other parents felt the same way I did - that everything involving our children was painful in some way. The emotions, whether they were joy, sorrow, love or pride, were so deep and sharp that in the end they left you raw, exposed and yes, in pain. The human heart was not designed to beat outside the human body and yet, each child represented just that - a parent's heart bared, beating forever outside its chest.” 
   ― Debra Ginsberg
2. “If I could snap my fingers and be nonautistic, I would not. Autism is part of what I am.” 
   ― Temple Grandin
3. “Think of it: a disability is usually defined in terms of what is missing. … But autism … is as much about what is abundant as what is missing, an over-expression of the very traits that make our species unique.” 
   ― Paul Collins, Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism
4. “Autism: Where the "randomness of life" collides and clashes with an individual"s need for the sameness~” 
   ― Eileen Miller, The Girl Who Spoke with Pictures: Autism Through Art
5. “Do not fear people with Autism, embrace them, Do not spite people with Autism unite them, Do not deny people with Autism accept them for then their abilities will shine” 
   ― Paul Isaacs

5 stats/facts

1. Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition. Without the right support, it can have a profound - sometimes devastating - effect on individuals and families.
2. Autism is much more common than many people think. There are around 700,000 people in the UK with autism - that's more than 1 in 100. If you include their families, autism touches the lives of 2.7 million people every day. 
3. Autism is a hidden disability - you can't always tell if someone has it.
4. Nearly two-thirds of adults with autism in England do not have enough support to meet their needs.
5. Only 15% of adults with autism in the UK are in full-time paid employment. 

5 Significant moments in history

1. http://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/21729/Our-story-so-far/

The above link is a timeline of all the important moments in history related to autism. 

5 People of note

1. Suzanne and Bob Wright Co-founders of Autism Speaks
2. Stephen Wiltshire - autistic artist
3. Leo Kanner- child psychiatrist who discovered autism in 1943

5 images

5 inventions/objects

This is a tricky one when it comes to my topic, mainly because autism is a spectrum disorder, therefore varies for each individual. In many ways inventions and objects are massively significant in the lives of people with autism. One individual said "My mind was constantly whirring with thoughts, worries and concerns. The time spent with my obsession was the only time in which I had a clear mind – it gave me that much sought-after relaxation."

Obsessions are often musical instruments, drawing, painting and many others. Therefore these objects and activities work as an escape. 

Inventions.

1. The Catalyst Project brings together researchers and autistic adults to determine what those with the disorder require and how it can best be developed. “The idea is that the person with autism carries the device in their pocket and squeezes it hard if they feel stressed,” describes Catalyst researcher Dr Will Simm. “It’s a discreet way of communicating anxiety. The device triggers mobile phone alerts and social network posts letting their family and friends know if they’re stressed so they can either go to help if they’re nearby or send a supportive text.” Furthermore, the digital tool also creates an online map of a user’s stress patterns so they can reflect on when and why they are more likely to feel troubled or anxious and establish preventative techniques. http://www.catalystproject.org.uk

Locations- autism is global. Its important everywhere.