Login
Our aims include: Conduct and present research on audism then work with other agencies. We would then like to build awareness focusing on girls and how they go undiagnosed and the consequences of this. We would like to run events to fundraise. The money will go towards funding a sensory and safe room in our school.
Our Social Issue
Audism in girls and how girls go undiagnosed or get diagnosed much later than boys. Girls can mask behaviour's and cover up. There are a lack of facilities and lack of awareness on this issue which we want to correct.
Why We Chose It
Our team members have friends and family affected by autism. As we shared our experiences, we discovered that while a male cousin had been diagnosed with autism at a young age, it took a female friend 13 more years to be diagnosed. After thorough research, we discovered how frequently girls with autism are overlooked and undiagnosed, a reason for this being girls are more known to conceal or mask their autistic traits.
Our Goal
Gasp! It's a Mask concentrates on autism in girls, especially since the majority of autistic girls go undiagnosed. We want to raise community consciousness of this issue in the hopes that more people will recognise it. We are currently in the process of building a sensory room so the students with autism will have a cosy and peaceful place to retreat to when there is too much noise or disruption.
Our Innovative Action
-We have interviewed girls with autism and teachers that have worked with autistic students in our school to get an insight on how they interpret autism. -We have visited a local school for inspiration that have facilities to accommodate those with autism, so that we could build a sensory room in our school. -We had the chance to display a stall to show parents and family, during our schools ’Junk Kouture’ fashion show, which we had tremendous feedback from. -We regularly post many facts and statistics on different factors about autism to our Instagram page to further educate and reach our followers. -We have also had the incredible opportunity to raise awareness on our local radio station ‘South-East Radio’
Our Impact
-One of our main goals is to bring a sensory room into our school for a place of comfort when students with autism get overwhelmed, this is a positive difference as it promotes the wellbeing of our students. - Our project got through to the YSI Den and we received €700 to make this sensory room happen. -Our social innovation contributes to the UN sustainable development goals by providing a safe and calming environment for the girls with autism in our school. -Through our social media, display, fundraiser and our new sensory room we have gained the attention of so many people about autism awareness.
