STUDENTS have been considering a condition that affected some of the world’s most brilliant minds, including Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Bill Gates.
Year 7 and Year 10 groups at The King’s Academy, Coulby Newham, spent the day with Michael Barton, a national champion on autism, a spectrum condition that influences how people communicate, relate to others and make sense of the world.
The 22-year-old, from London, also staged sessions with students who live with the condition telling them about the positive aspects and how it need not impact on their prospects in life.
“It is similar to Mr Spock on Star Trek in that he is very logical and shows no emotion,” said Michael, who has written two books on autism and stages UK speaking tours.
“I tend to be very honest and blunt so people know what I am thinking and that I would not lie to them. I think everyone is a little bit autistic especially if they are passionate about something.
“But it can make it difficult getting on with other people, you dislike change and like to spend time on your own.”
He said the condition had not prevented him going to the University of Surrey, where he overcame social difficulties, went rock climbing, became president of the judo club and even used his ability to play the spoons.
People on the autism spectrum also tended to like science, Lego, fantasy and shared interests including computer games, he explained.
During a question and answer session Michael told students that the condition affected one in 68 people, four times more men than women and that it had been linked to foetal testosterone levels.
It also might be genetic and if a family had an autistic child then a second was ten times more likely to also have the condition.
King’s Academy learning support assistant Basia Zalewska-Wilson said she first heard Michael speak at the Autism Show in Manchester last year.
She said: “We have 13 students on the autism spectrum at The King's Academy and we try to make sure that other students have a good understanding of it.
“The session with Michael went down really well with all of our students. It was particular valuable in showing those who are on the autism spectrum that they do have a future, can live independently, go to university and get good jobs.
“Singer Susan Boyle wasn’t recognised as having Asperger Syndrome until she was 53 but society is becoming more aware of the condition and it is now being picked up at an earlier age.”