Visiting My MobKoorliny Djinanginy Moort

Hi! (Kaya!) My name is Jay.I live with my Mum, Dad and sister. (Ngany nyininy, Mum, Dad and djoogan.)

This is a story about Jay, and what it is like for him to visit his family. Jay lives with Autism and the world can feel very different to him.This story is written using English and Noongar, the language of the traditional owners of the Whadjuk/Ballardong regions of Western Australia. The translations are written in brackets.

family (moort)

sister (djoogan)3

Having Autism means my brain works a bit differently to others. I might see, hear and feel (Gnany djinang, dwangk) the world in a different way to you.

Sometimes we all go to visit our mob. (Gnalaark koorliny djinang gnala moort.)When we do, I bring my activity bag with me. My bag has my tablet, earphones, some toys, and a book in it. I have Autism and having these things helps when stuff feels hard for me.

head (kaart)

eyes (miyal)

ears (dwangk)

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If the trip is too long or loud I might need to use something out of my bag to help me feel better.When there is so much going on, it sometimes feels like my head might explode like a cannon.

my head (gnala kaart)

When I go to visit my mob (gnany Koorliny djinang gnaarla moort), I like going the same way every time. If we don’t, it makes me feel nervous. (koboorl wirn) It feels like there is something wrong!

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If there are too many people (boorla moort) at the house (mia mia) I might need some time to myself. Too many people talking (boorla moort wangkiny) at the same time feels like a train coming straight towards me.

When we get there, everyone wants to give me a hug, but when people touch me without asking I don’t like it. It can make me mad.

Sometimes my mob think I’m rude because I won’t give them a hug or look at them. I’m not trying to be rude, sometimes hugs feel like pins and needles.

my mob (gnala moort)

quiet (ni)

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I might need help to calm down. You can help me by being patient and understanding. Ask Mum or Dad how to help me – I won’t always be able to tell you.

Sometimes one of these things might help me:1. Being somewhere

quiet or using my earphones

2. Using my tablet or reading a book

3. Having something in my hands (maara) to distract me, like one of the toys from my bag

4. Having something to eat or drink (gnarniny)

head (kaart)

ears (dwangk)

hands (maara)

food (mereny)eat (gnarniny)

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Helping me will mean that I don’t have a meltdown. A meltdown happens when I can’t cope with all of the things going on around me.Once I am feeling calmer, I might be able to join in with the rest of the mob (gnaarlar moort) for a while.

When we’re ready to go home, remember to ask if it’s ok to give me a hug or high five.I’m not trying to be naughty or rude if I say no, I might have done too much for that day.

See you later(Djinang boorda)

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By the time we get in the car I could be very tired. Mum or Dad help me by making sure we go the same way home and that my family stays calm and quiet (moort dat nyin). If we don’t, I might start to feel like a hot cannon again, and I will need my activity bag.

Even though it can be hard for me, I love my mob (ngany koort djerap balap) and I like visiting them. If you can remember that I see and feel things differently, and help me when you can, that will make my visits more deadly (good – moorditj)!

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Sitting and Learning (Kaaditj nyininy)

What is Autism?Every person with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is different to another and each has their own way of seeing the world, which makes them interesting and unique.When someone has ASD, it means that their brains are wired differently to other people.People with ASD find it difficult to interact socially and communicate with others. They often have difficulty understanding what other people are feeling and thinking.They may not use gestures and body language in the way that other people do. For example they may not use eye contact and may not smile. However, their ability to communicate can vary tremendously, with some people with Autism having no or limited speech, and others having extensive vocabularies. Although people with ASD can find it difficult to talk to people and make friends, they still have the same emotions as anybody else.People with ASD also like things to happen the same way. They might take the same route to school, shops or line up their toys in a particular order. If something is out of place or if routines change without warning they can get upset or worried. They may also be bothered by sudden loud sounds, bright lights or unexpected touch. They might become upset if someone hugs them or talks too quickly or loudly. They often have intense interests in particular topics and may be extremely knowledgeable about their special interest area. They can also have amazing memory for detail.

Information provided by the Early Intervention Indigenous Liaison Officer (EI ILO) program, hosted by Autism Queensland. Used with permission from the Department of Social Services, funders of the EI ILO program.

Useful links

Rocky Bay Resources for Aboriginal families – www.rockybay.org.au/fdw Be My Koorda Support Group – www.facebook.com/bemykoorda First Peoples Disability Network – www.fpdn.org.au National Disability Insurance Scheme – www.ndis.gov.auAutism Awareness Australia – www.autismawareness.com.auCarersWA – www.carerswa.asn.au Raising Children Network – www.raisingchildren.net.au

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Acknowledgements

This resource was produced as part of Rocky Bay’s Finding Different Ways project, funded by DSC which is now known as The Department of Communities, Disability Services.Rocky Bay would like to thank Evelyn McKay, Be My Koorda Coordinator, for sharing both her cultural and personal experiences and knowledge for the book.Our thanks and gratitude to families from the Be My Koorda support group for their contribution to the story and artwork for many of the pages.

Artists include:

Daniel EadesPeter McKayMichelle RadcliffeBradley CouncillorRahmya D’CressTristan Collard

Shane CouncillorChanelJaidenPaityn WalshLatrelle Wallaby

Thank you to the talented artist Seantelle Walsh for her beautiful cover piece, illustrations for the story and for supporting the production of the remaining artwork with the Be My Koorda group. Seantelle is a proud Noongar woman and artist. Noongar language used throughout the book was shared and reviewed by Mrs Cynthia Garlett. Rocky Bay would like to express deep gratitude to Mrs Garlett for sharing this cultural knowledge with us in the hope that the whole community might benefit.Rocky Bay would like to thank all community members who contributed to the production of this resource and the Finding Different Ways project.For more copies please contact the Rocky Bay Marketing Department on (08) 9383 5111.Visiting My Mob (Koorliny Djinanginy Moort) is also available in electronic format.

Thank you to First Peoples Disability Network (WA) for supporting the project.

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Visiting My Mob (Koorliny Djinanginy Moort) is a story about Jay, a boy who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. This resource has been produced by Rocky Bay as part of the Finding Different Ways project.

For more copies of this resource please contact the Rocky Bay Marketing Department on (08) 9383 5111.