The condition, which often is called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because of the wide range of symptoms, skills and levels of disability, occurs in every racial and ethnic group, across all socioeconomic levels, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website (ninds.nih.gov). Boys are more likely to develop ASD than girls. The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 68 children has ASD.
Fountain Hills resident Yvonne Wan has started a campaign to bring a better understanding and acceptance of the condition.
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The condition, which often is called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because of the wide range of symptoms, skills and levels of disability, occurs in every racial and ethnic group, across all socioeconomic levels, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website (ninds.nih.gov). Boys are more likely to develop ASD than girls. The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 68 children has ASD.
Fountain Hills resident Yvonne Wan has started a campaign to bring a better understanding and acceptance of the condition.
“I hope to involve the community in this project,” Wan said.
Her project? To make a full broadcast standard ethnographic study and documentary about autism. Wan is a certified Social Cultural Anthropologist. She wants to use her experience and knowledge as a scientist to help those with ASD be more easily understood and accepted.
“I know several families with children with ASD,” Wan said. “It is something that is very close to my heart. I am passionate about the condition. I want to help people become more accepting of those with autism.”
Autism is not easily understood. Behaviors can create isolated feelings in those people who have autism. School children often are bullied, shunned or made to feel misunderstood.
“These are people who really need understanding,” Wan said. “But they behave differently. People don’t always feel comfortable being around those with autism, and so they treat them differently, and not always kindly.”
Wan’s goal is to educate people about autism and to show others that autistic people want to be accepted and be part of the general population.
Wan has set up a Kickstarter account to enable her to fund the film. Visit Kickstarter.com and search for “Yvonne Wan” to locate the project.
Her goal is to bring in $20,000 by May 10 to fund the film.
As a broadcast standard film ethnographer, Wan will use her talents and knowledge to produce a film showing the many faces of autism.
“I am inspired to cover the transitioning of a person with autism from teenage years to young adulthood,” she said. “It is a tough, tough thing to go through, but especially when you are autistic.”
Wan has a rich background in helping others. Her work with autism is an extension of that.
Wan has produced a trailer for her film, which is on the Kickstarter page. It features two young people with autism, describing their feelings, their hopes and their aspirations. She also has posted the trailer on YouTube, and she has partnered with Marveland DC comics artist Dave Beaty. He has designed a superhero to bring further awareness to autism.
Beaty has designed a t-shirt, which will be available with a limited edition trading card. The card will provide information about the hero’s super powers and background.
Additional information about Wan’s background and story can be found at filmethnographer.com.
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