Interaction Advisory Group

"The distress comes from living in a world that doesn’t understand you - not from being autistic."

Paddy Considine is autistic. He discovered this in 2011, after years of being labelled angry, difficult, or intense.

“I was always portrayed as angry, but I was just ill,” he said.

Paddy was not saying autism is an illness - he was describing what happens when autistic traits go unrecognised and unsupported.

For many autistic people, ongoing sensory overload, social confusion, burnout, anxiety, and misinterpretation can take a real toll on mental health.

The distress comes from living in a world that doesn’t understand you - not from being autistic.

But from the outside, that distress is often mislabelled.

Shutdowns becomes sulking and hostility. Overwhelm gets read as aggression.

Instead of asking what support is missing? People assume there’s something wrong with you.

Good article by Shaun Heasley at the Disability Scoop detailing new study showing the need to do look into why girls receive a diagnosis later then boys. There also needs to be a deep dive into the diagnostic process.

👉 Link to Article in Comments

"What differed between the genders is the age of diagnosis. Boys were more likely to be identified in childhood while the prevalence rate in girls caught up during adolescence."

We hope to see you folks in New Hanover County/Wilmington, NC on Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00pmEST. Link to register: https://form.jotform.com/253415590555157

Community members are invited to attend a free Safety Masterclass designed for self-advocates and caregivers of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. The event will take place on December 16, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 PM at The Government Center, Rooms 136 & 137, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington.

Sign up here: https://form.jotform.com/253415590555157

The Safety Masterclass will cover critical topics including emergency preparedness, safe interactions with law enforcement, online safety basics, wandering prevention and search & rescue, creating family safety plans, and fire and other safety considerations.

This inclusive community event is free to attend. Accommodations are available upon request; participants are asked to email [email protected] by December 13 to ensure needs can be met. This initiative is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the NHC Sheriff's Office and the NHC Office of Civic Engagement. Representatives from NHC Emergency Management, NHC 911 Center and NHC Fire Rescue will also be present to aid in the collaboration.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

FEEDBACK RECEIVED:

"I just wanted to let you know that I sent three people to the Recognition & Evaluation of Autism and Developmental Disability class yesterday, and I received rave reviews. They loved it and said they learned so much! I have others wanting to take it if it shows up again. Please let the instructor know how much they enjoyed it! - Training Services, Burlington PD

Special thanks to self advocate, Mr. Kuser(pictured middle)for sharing lived experiences with our attendees.

Jail is not only option! These interactions are and WILL BE different than what most agencies are prepared for, especially if a person is placed into custody.

If police make decision to place a person with autism in jail, they MUST have a safety plan in place. Corrections Officers MUST have the training and understanding of the diagnosis and how it may impact a persons behavior in these situations.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to this young man's family.

Family sues for change after autistic 19-year-old dies from injuries in Ohio jail The family of an autistic 19-year-old who died after his time in the Montgomery County Jail is suing the county and its medical services company.