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University film to smash autism stereotypes

September 05, 2002

Photographs available
Widely held stereotypes of autism are leading to a "scandalous squandering of talented resources" by British employers, according to a senior academic at Sheffield Hallam University. Jeff Baggott, Head of Film and Media at the University, believes that misconceptions of the syndrome have resulted in a disturbing lack of autistic young adults in the workplace. Statistics from the National Autistic Society estimate that a massive 98 per cent of autistic adults are unemployed. He added: "We need to open up opportunities for those affected with autism - and employers have a large role to play. Employers need to realise that autistic people have something very distinctive to offer."

Jeff Baggott describes how the stereotypes of autism focus upon either the difficult child or the genius 'Rain Man' adult. He has teamed up with The Resource - a specialist organisation based at King Egbert School in Sheffield which supports children aged 11-16 who have severe communication disorders - to produce Autism and Employment- Building Bridges, a short film aimed at getting young adults affected by autism into the workplace and educating employers about their capabilities and limits.

Matthew Hesmondhalgh, founder of The Resource, and Jeff Baggott worked together on documenting the progress of two autistic teenagers from Sheffield, who took part in local work placement schemes. The project, which began six years ago, has been funded by the Steven Shirley foundation, who support The Resource. Jeff Baggott, formerly Head of the University's Northern Media School, directed the film and was helped in the production by postgraduate film students.

The video has been produced to meet a specific need for education about the employability skills of those affected with autism, as part of a wider national awareness campaign. 71 children per 10,000 are affected by autism. The condition disrupts the social and communicative skills of those it affects, isolating them from society. Matthew Hesmondhalgh is keen to get more employers to understand how autism can affect people in many different ways. Some autistics have only minor learning difficulties whilst others have little social use of language.

Matthew started The Resource 8 years ago and it has built up a national reputation for its work with children on the autistic spectrum. He has just been awarded a MBE for his contributions in this field.

The official launch of the 11-minute documentary will take place later this month, after which it will be available nationally to employers and special needs teacher training organisations.

Norman Adsetts, former chairman of the Board of Governers at the University, is featured throughout the film talking about his experiences of autism through his two autistic grandsons.

Sheffield Hallam University