I see the news is now public that the world has lost a gutsy freedom fighter, Anne Mc Donald. She died suddenly from a heart attack. She was 49. Read the rest of this entry »
I had an email from Jenn Watzke, a senior at Northshore High School in Slidell, Louisiana. She wanted to ask me about Savant Syndrome so I agreed to be interviewed. Here’s our interview: Read the rest of this entry »
I heard from Sarah Smith (et al), a woman diagnosed with Dissociative Identity disorder. Having a diagnosis of both autism and DID myself, I invited her to interview me on the topic. Here’s our interview: Read the rest of this entry »
“
â€. This month’s artwork is titled ‘Attachment’.
It is 15cm x 17cm, acrylic on vinyl.
I hope you enjoy the painting. You can see it and others in my online gallery.
Warmly,
Donna Williams *)
As a parent of a boy with autism, Nancy Bekhor discovered a way of being that assisted her to be more open and available to the non-verbal-realm of her child for their mutual benefit. I invited her to ask me some questions about Nancy Bekhor sensing in the context of autism. Here’s our interview. Read the rest of this entry »
Bouquet by Donna Williams
This month’s artwork is titled “Bouquetâ€. It’s a painting about the feeling of happiness.
It is 29cm x 42cm, mixed media on paper (acrylic and pastels).
I hope you enjoy the painting. You can see it and others in my online gallery.
Warmly,
A friend on the autism spectrum who deals with mental health issues asked me if I’ve ever suffered the Mental Health system myself. It was a great question and really the answer depends on what the contrast is.
I was diagnosed in a 3 day hospital observation at the age of 2 as psychotic. In 1965 that would have been a social death knell. The abuse, degredation, being hidden, paraded etc, the sense I was only temporary and ultimately pegged for an institution… was that suffering due to the mental health system?
7 yrs of the primary school having me observed by Psych and Guidance, studied, evading, being labeled disturbed for my inability to comply, participate, communicate with all the associated 2nd class citizenship that entails in a mainstream. The teachers going through the motions at best, mostly left alone or stood out in the corridor, later stood in the rubbish bin by the teacher who threw chalk at me to the amusement of the students… is that due to the mental health system? Read the rest of this entry »
Greens candidate for Brand, Dawn Jecks and Greens health spokesperson, Rachel Siewert have urged the Government to reconsider a decision to cut funding for social workers and occupational therapists from a major mental health program. Senator Siewert said the removal of more than one thousand social workers from the Better Access program was an example of government’s “inadequate†response to growing demands on mental health services.
“Front line mental health social workers are absolutely critical to an effective approach to mental health care. Many people will be unable to receive Medicare-funded assistance from mental health social workers if these cuts go ahead.†The Better Access program will lose the funding for 1100 social workers in April next year if the funding cuts go ahead. The Greens opposed these changes when they were announced and we continue to oppose the Federal Government’s plan.
“If social workers and occupation therapists are removed from the Better Access program – the consequences for people who need mental health care will be dramatic,†said Senator Siewert. The Federal Department of Health and Ageing is currently reviewing the program but, despite the review not being finalised, the Government has already made the decision to axe social workers from the program.
Ms Jecks said she was “deeply troubled†by the decision. “Social workers and occupational therapists are essential to a comprehensive approach to mental health,†she said. “Mental health is a matter of national importance requiring the creation of a new position in cabinet – a dedicated Minister for Mental Healthâ€. Read the rest of this entry »
With the federal governments intended cuts to Medicare funding for Social Workers and Occupational Therapists under mental health plans I thought I’d interview a Psychiatric Social Worker and get the scoop on what these folks actually do and how is it different to what a Psychologist or Psychiatrist might offer. I interviewed Roxahn Thomas, MA, BSW, BA, MHSW
Here’s our interview. Read the rest of this entry »
Yesterday me and The Aspinauts were performing at Autism Victoria‘s Expo. It was in a huge swoosh venue, Ridges on Bell, in not so swoosh Preston where I’m from. I was a guest speaker on the day and the band was to perform during cocktail hour. Well, I set up a table, books, cds, DVDs, art prints, all of that, and did some book signing, sold some stock, got people to sign a petition lobbying our short sighted government to reverse their funding cuts for OTs and Social Workers under Mental Health. All was rather ticketty boo really. Read the rest of this entry »
Donna Williams is an Australian born adult with autism who was assessed as psychotic at the age of 2 in 1965, labelled disturbed in the 1970s and diagnosed as autistic in her 20s in 1991.
She acquired functional speech in late childhood and went on to become a qualified teacher with an honors degree in Sociology and a degree in Linguistics. She is the author of two international bestselling autobiographies and has 10 published books including 4 text books widely used in autism education and two books of poetry and prose.
As a screenwriter, she wrote the screenplay to “Nobody Nowhere”, the first book in her 4 book autobiographical series. That screenplay is currently under option to become a Hollywood film. She is an professional artist, singer-songwriter and published poet as well as a world renowned public speaker on autism now living with her husband in Australia. In her presentations she draws not only on her own experiences but on international experience as a professional autism consultant since 1996.
Donna’s is a speaker in demand around the world due to her unique perspective and ability to share her feelings and experiences on a very personal level. More information about her and her life’s work can be found on her website at http://www.donnawilliams.net .