Leadership program a win for autism awareness

Winning a coveted place in a national leadership program is set to open a world of opportunity for Flinders student and autism advocate, Bruce Meatheringham.

Already proficient in delivering presentations on his two key interests – sensory perception in autism and synaesthesia – Mr Meatheringham hopes the Future Leaders Program run by Autism CRC will propel his advocacy ambitions.

Mr Meatheringham was one of just sixteen people to win a place in the 2018 leadership program for young adults with autism. The program aims to empower participants with the skills to help them achieve their potential through online learning, workshops and mentoring from established autistic leaders.

He embarked on his synaesthesia journey after realising his own experiences were a form of the condition, going on to study a Bachelor of Behavioural Science with majors in psychology and neuroscience.

Synaesthesia is a phenomenon that involves the intertwining of senses – where stimulation of one sense leads to an automatic experience in a second sensory or cognitive pathway, such as seeing sounds in colour. It’s more common in those on the autism spectrum, with links made to that condition only last year.

Mr Meatheringham would like to see more awareness of synaesthesia, especially amongst those working in education and language development, as language is often the trigger. He has made a film on the condition and recommends a synaesthesia website for professionals wanting to better understand it.

He would also like to expand awareness on his other key professional interest, autism sensory perception, particularly around its diversity. Many people consider it in terms of two categories, either hypersensitive or hyposensitive, however it’s extremely complex with 20 different aspects that can occur across seven sensors (as described in Olga Bogdashina’s book Sensory Perceptual Issues In Autism and Asperger Syndome.)

Currently completing the on-line components of the leadership program, he will head to Brisbane in June for a three-day workshop. As a firm believer in face-to-face learning, it’s an experience Mr Meatheringham is looking forward to (he’s only missed three lectures at Flinders and will complete his degree next year.)

He is also looking forward to being a guest lecturer at the University next semester, for the topic Autism Spectrum Disorders where he will present on autism sensory perception.

Participants in the leadership program will graduate in November 2018.

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