Rachel Fontaine:  Celebration of Canadian artists with disabilities

A BIT MORE ABOUT INVISIBLE AUTISM

In 2018, when she was consumed by the desire to end her life, it was humorist Louis T. who, in an interview with Tout le monde en parle, unknowingly let Rachel Fontaine know how to get her life back on track. Finally diagnosed with high-level invisible autism (Asperger's) at age 40, she was able to better understand what made her different and find ways to take care of herself.

She thinks it is now her turn to have the courage to dive in and talk about these people who are also known as the "Chameleons on the Autism Spectrum." Especially women who are much less easily identified and diagnosed. They have the talent to be champions of camouflage. . .

Incorrect or delayed diagnoses have a major impact on the lives of these people in distress and their loved ones. The goal of the awareness campaign of 7 capsules/1 minute each in 2023 was to facilitate screening, as the age of diagnosis is a determining factor in helping an autistic person improve their quality of life. The sooner they are identified, the better. The single 2024 capsule was produced to announce a conference aimed at sparking, among other things, the curiosity of employers and encouraging the inclusion of their own in employment. Access to employment is indeed an important "sinew of war" for their well-being and development. Rachel wants to highlight the potential of autistic people (high level of adaptation) as competent and loyal employees with a minimal requirement for adjustment in the workplace. Several large companies have already discovered the wealth that these "unconventional" people can bring to a team through their developed fields of interest. Dedicated and skilled perfectionists, autistic people don't like change, which is an interesting attribute at a time when the retention problem is in full swing.