Despite its common occurrence, autism remains poorly understood by many individuals.
Chances are, you know someone who has autism or knows someone who does, as 1 in 68 children in the United States is estimated to be on the autistic spectrum. However, knowledge of the symptoms of autism and how to respond to them is limited.
Fortunately, 9-year-old George Yionoulis from Raleigh, North Carolina is working to change this. His latest YouTube video, “My Autism,” provides a personal insight into his experience with autism and has reached over 180,000 viewers.
In the video, George emphasizes that despite his unique characteristics, he is just like any other kid. He enjoys dancing, making music, playing games, and drawing. However, his autism presents challenges such as difficulty making eye contact, staying calm, and expressing emotions differently.
With the support of his parents, George created a video to help his classmates understand autism better. The response to “My Autism” has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising George for his insight and courage in sharing his story.
George’s video not only sheds light on the personal struggles faced by those with autism but also serves as a reminder that individuals with autism are just like everyone else – unique and extraordinary in their own ways.
By opening up about his autism, George hopes to encourage others to ask questions and learn more about the condition. Through his bravery and honesty, George is making a difference in the way autism is perceived and understood.
Learn More about Autism
If you would like to learn more about autism, try checking out the resources below to read up on:
So if you feel that you know very little about autism, brush up on the subject – and remember that they are, like George and many others, just people!
Sources
- Hobson, E. (2017). Little boy’s touching video explaining his autism to his classmates goes viral. [online] Global News. Available at: https://globalnews.ca/news/3898404/little-boys-touching-video-explaining-his-autism-to-his-classmates-goes-viral/ [Accessed 12 Dec. 2017].
- YouTube:Lisa Jolley. (2017). My Autism – by George. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIK2yXfrCfw [Accessed 12 Dec. 2017].
- Turner, T., Macaya, M., Turner, T. and Macaya, M. (2017). ‘I have this thing called autism’: A boy’s eloquent message to his fourth-grade classmates. [online] Washington Post. Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2017/12/07/wait-for-it-i-have-this-thing-called-autism-a-boys-eloquent-message-to-his-4th-grade-classmates/?utm_term=.ce7618a8d025 [Accessed 12 Dec. 2017].
- Cdc.gov. (2017). CDC | Data and Statistics | Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | NCBDDD. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html [Accessed 12 Dec. 2017].
- Mayinstitute.org. (2017). Topic Center – News – May Institute. [online] Available at: https://www.mayinstitute.org/news/topic_center.html?id=1595 [Accessed 12 Dec. 2017].