The A-Talent Foundation is launching the online talent platform www.a-talent.org this week for young talents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The talent platform aims to become an exhibition platform where each talent gets its own place in the form of its own web page. On this web page you can find photos and videos of the individual talents, who enjoy recognition in this way.
Instead of focusing on the limitations, the A-Talent Foundation focuses on the talents of people with autism. 62.5% of people with autism have specific and exceptional talents that are very valuable to employers. These include, for example, highly developed memory or excellent arithmetic, creative, auditory or verbal skills.
By focusing on the talents of children with ASD, the Foundation aims to restore the often damaged self-esteem and self-confidence of these children. Jantien Aerts of the A-Talent Foundation: “With the platform, the foundation hopes to increase self-esteem. With our innovative initiative, we encourage talent development in this group of vulnerable children and young adults, so that their self-confidence can grow and they feel valued. Finding out where your strengths lie gives you self-confidence – whether it’s gaming, design, drawing, photography, music or something else. All talents are welcome.”
Webinar
On March 12, 2022, the A-Talent Foundation is hosting a webinar for parents and caregivers of children and young adults with autism to explain the platform. Talents with autism easily sign up through the online talent platform, where they can tell about their talent and upload photos and videos of their work. After registration, an interview (online or otherwise) will follow to meet the talent and learn more about them, in order to see how they can best perform on the platform.
Autism still too often seen as disabilitystrong
Dutch society is currently inadequately equipped for children with ASD. Autism is still too often seen as a disability today. In adolescent psychiatry, there is a strong emphasis on “incapacities. This causes children with autism to be told very early on that they are “not good enough” and “different from normal. Also, children with autism are often victims of bullying behavior. Nearly 80% percent of children with autistic spectrum disorder struggle with low self-esteem and psychological problems as a result. This can manifest as anxiety, depression and even burnout. Research by the Dutch Autism Association (NVA) shows that nearly 78 percent of children with autism have at least one mental illness and nearly half have two or more.
The corona crisis has disproportionately affected children with autism. The NVA’s study of the effects of corona crisis among children with autism shows a significant increase in anxiety, depression, loneliness, stress, self-harm, and even acute suicide risk.
About A-Talent Foundation
The A-Talent Foundation was set up by strategy consultant Jantien Aerts, marketing strategist Annemein Lindenbergh and IT entrepreneur Rudolf Philipse to generate more attention for the positive aspects of autism.