Being Invisible
The key activity within The Halfling project is finding and helping those boys who have missed formal diognosis of autism [or allied condition] in their early school years and have duly struggled with the learning process, and often life generally.
Many believe what they are told by teachers - that they are slow or troublesome , or misbehaving and angry .
Often when one looks at school reports over the years - teachers give clues to the problem but no solution.
Parents are often left confused, as is the boy himself.
When you say autism sadly many think the child will look "different" but ofcourse they will not.
Autism is not an illness - it's simply the brain processing things differently.
It is no accident that many gain considerable creative and academic power from their condition.
Austism is a spectrum so it is rarely a clear cut diognosis, and no one treatment fits all.
For some it may mean medication, but for many this is often best avoided.
Instead time is spent providing support and self awareness - often in the case of The Halfling Project apart from "talking" drama and practical situation discussion is key.
For those in education or training practical intervention to ensure full and positive support backup is important.
The point of all this is the person concerned will not look different, although they may act different.
Also there are other factors that can be troubling someone at this time - bullying [by pears and adults] depression, coming to terms with matters such as sexuality or social skills, , pear pressure and mental health concerns.
The reason I term these conditions as invisible is because to most, including the one involved they often are.
Also it is often one of the first things said in the way of explanation as to how they feel "invisable, not belonging - isolated.
