Thursday, March 28Royal Holloway's offical student publication, est. 1986

Tag: Autism

Autistic Connections: how does technology help autistic people live their best lives?
Lifestyle

Autistic Connections: how does technology help autistic people live their best lives?

If I were to ask you how many times you use technology in a day, the number would be higher than you think. The likelihood you’re reading this on a screen, or have seen a link to it on Orbital’s Instagram Stories (@orbitalmagazine, by the way), is incredibly high. In fact, from the moment you wake up, until you fall asleep, technology is everywhere. How else would we wake up on time, preserve food, or read the news as soon as it happens?  Technology enables us to live a faster, easier life than previous generations. The same sentiment is true for autistic people, some of whom use technology in ways that neurotypical people do not. FYI, ‘neurotypical’ just means anyone who does not have developmental conditions such as autism or ADHD. It’s important to define autism, as it’s a c...
Student Autism
Features

Student Autism

University as a student with High Functioning Autism (HFA) is daunting at times. Growing up as a kid who went from medical test to medical test during my infant years after diagnosis, and, more recently, being thrust from a special school with 82 pupils to a university of over 9,000 students has been a challenge to deal with. Specifically when you don’t know anyone in your halls, or your classes, for the first few weeks. When going on a night out and there's the rush of people queuing to get through at the gate. You get in and you’re confronted with flashing colours and music that dominates over what your friends are talking about. What are they saying? Who was that person who shouted at you across the SU? Are they angry or happy? Why should you care? All you want to do is get back t...
Why WiFi?
Science & Technology

Why WiFi?

Child Development, a respected journal of Psychology, published a paper in May of this year claiming that WiFi is linked to autism. The paper was written by Cindy Sage and Ernesto Burgio and was published in a section addressing technological risks. UK national media unfortunately picked up the story, with an article in The Daily Express asking the following question: Could wireless technology be causing MAJOR health problems in your children? Obviously, this is a ridiculous notion as there has never been any evidence that found developmental health risks linked to technology in this way. The original review and the subsequent article stated that “wireless mobile phones, laptops and tables could be causing major heath problems in children and contributing to autism and hyperactivi...
Is Autism Really That Atypical?
Opinion

Is Autism Really That Atypical?

Netflix’ newest controversial show, Atypical, follows Sam Gardner, an autistic teenager, as he attempts to navigate the confusing world of dating. The show gave autistic people hope for a new perspective on what it means to be autistic, but instead, it was stereotypical, unrealistic, and neglected to feature any genuine autistic representation. The representation of autistic characters in the media is already scarce, and whilst Dan Harmon’s Community and Adam Reed’s Archer portray Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as complex and varying in each individual, when people think of autism they’re not likely to think of these representations. Instead, people are often affected by a phenomenon I call the ‘Sheldon Cooper Effect’: they only think of autism as it’s most harmful portrayal, Sheldon Co...
Vaccination Fears Go Viral
Science & Technology

Vaccination Fears Go Viral

People are divided on the role of vaccinations. Most see them as a godsend, the product of the miracles of modern science, and the only way to prevent their children from getting diseases like Diphtheria, Polio, Smallpox, Measles and Whooping Cough. There are, however, a growing faction of people that are against inoculating children with vaccines as they believe that there are doubts over the antigens contained within vaccines and the effects they may have on their children and families. In addition, there are those who are in favour of vaccines but want them to be given in smaller doses over a longer period of time. Vaccination is, simply put, the process of injecting a sample of a weakened or killed virus into a person in order to provoke an immune system response into producing anti...
Reel Fashion Show
Sports & Socs

Reel Fashion Show

Kathryn Pearson reviews the Reel Fashion Show: a collaboration of societies' designers and performers. Set in Stumble Out under hazy lighting and the soft scent of perfume, the Reel Fashion Show radiated elegance from the outset. The collaborative event was organised by Reel Music, Textiles and Fashion Society, and CoppaFeel, with guest appearances from Dance, Sustainability, Cheerleading and Band Society. The spectacle of artists and designers colluding under one roof was certainly a night to remember, and displayed RHUL student's innovation and creativity at its finest. The evening kicked off with an introduction from Textiles' Rakaya Fetuga and Fashion's Rachel Foster, who outlined the inspiration behind each of the three catwalks. The first, a spring/summer collection of swimsuit...
The Hidden Figures of Autism
Opinion

The Hidden Figures of Autism

Cemre discusses the lack of representation of women on the autistic spectrum While autism didn’t exist as a diagnosed developmental disability until about 70 years ago, people now ascribe its attributes to classic figures of human history such as Kant, Einstein, Mozart, and even Steve Jobs. It is unknown whether they were ever on the spectrum, but their speculation brings awareness to the negative labelling that comes with being on the spectrum. Today we’re shown the discrimination those on the spectrum face when trying to apply for work, and our government plans to cut disability benefits to support ‘the really disabled people who need it.’ So, in a month that celebrates Women’s History and a week of Autism Awareness coming up, I wanted to bring to light the women of our past who we...