If you live in Yarraville chances are you’ve recently noticed Ayla Dodson walking along footpaths, pavements and pretty much anywhere else her feet can take her.
That’s because Ms Dodson, like thousands of other Australians, is walking thousands of steps a day during May as part of the Walk for Autism fundraiser.
Run by national not-for-profit, Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia), the Walk for Autism involves participants taking 7000 steps per day to help build an autism-friendly world.
For Ms Dodson, it’s a cause that is deeply personal.
“As a corporate professional, I was diagnosed with autism in my early thirties after recognising similar traits in my autistic niece,” she said.
“While my diagnosis brought clarity, it also revealed the stark gap in support—despite the fact that nobody ‘grows out of’ autism, services and accommodations are far more readily available for children than for adults.”
Money raised through Walk for Autism will go towards addressing this deficit as well as other initiatives such as earlier diagnosis, creating more autistic friendly spaces, autism training for mental health professionals and research into mental health conditions experienced by autistic people.
Ms Dodson said this practical approach was what set Walk for Autism apart from other fundraisers that were more geared towards raising awareness.
“Raising awareness is important, but awareness alone doesn’t drive real change,” she said.
“True acceptance means ensuring autistic adults have access to workplace accommodations, social supports and understanding from those around them—including partners navigating a later-life diagnosis alongside us.“
To register or donate visit: www.walkforautism.org.au
