Emerging Young Leaders Program Applications Open Now

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of speaking to 16 emerging young leaders about self-discovery. I would like to thank YDAS - Youth Disability Advocacy Service for inviting me and I look forward to meeting the next group in August. If you are between the ages of 14 to 19 be sure to apply before applications close.

New Children's TV Show About Autism

Hi everyone, I would like to share with you all a show that was recently brought to my attention.

Pablo is a Northern Irish TV show about a 5 ½ year old boy who uses his crayons to turn his life challenges, such as going to the supermarket or a party into fantastic adventures with his animal friends who help him face the real world with confidence. Pablo is on the autism spectrum however, as the theme song says, Pablo just “thinks differently, sees the world in different ways.”

This show is the first of it’s kind with an all autistic writing team and cast, not to mention there is no mention of Pablo actually being on the autism spectrum allowing the world to understand that being autistic is not wrong. We just perceive and experience the world in a different and as seen in Pablo sometimes a more interesting way.

I recommend you give the show a watch, you can see it on ABC Kids and Netflix

COVID-19: Return to school resources for autistic students and parents/carers

Hi everyone, as schools begin to return, it is important to recognize that students on the spectrum need time to understand and adjust to new routines and precautions. It is important to let students on the spectrum know of these new routines and precautions before returning to school so as to allow them the time they need to adjust. Our friends at Amaze have been busy creating a page on their website with all the resources students on the spectrum and their families need to assist with this transition. Feel free to have a look using the link below.

https://www.amaze.org.au/returntoschool2020/?fbclid=IwAR1xNMASa5hS5wl1I00OizYSVfVGu9TWkkkXQZRR-hMkE2yPMZ4rfTQwtis

Happy World Autism Acceptance Day

Today is World Autism Acceptance Day which is a day where we celebrate our amazing community. Today is a day where we educate the world about what autism is and how we could be better supported in our community. It is a day where we usually would walk the streets proudly, however, this year is slightly different. Due to current world events, we won’t be able to walk the streets or attend any events that are usually run on this day however this does not mean we can’t still celebrate.

This year let’s bring our day to our communities by celebrating in your own unique way. Celebrate your individuality, who you are whether that be by decorating your home, posting online a picture or video of your special interest or using the time to catch up with fellow autistics. Let’s use today to educate the world about what autism means to us and let the world know that we are an amazing and creative worldwide community.

We may not be able to go out and celebrate however I would like to encourage you all to connect by letting us know how you are celebrating today in the comments below. These are difficult times for us all however this does not mean we can’t still connect and celebrate what makes us unique. I would like to finish by wishing everyone a happy and safe World Autism Acceptance Day.

Bryce Pace

Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker

Student Opportunity

Do you know a student in South West Victoria who is interested in helping to create a world that accepts, includes and embraces the Autism Spectrum? On the 4th of June, there is to be a Professional Development Day in Heywood and we would love for there to be a panel of students who could talk about their own experiences as a student on the autism spectrum. If you know someone please feel free to send an email to bryce.pace.autism.advocate@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Bryce Pace
Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker

The issues regional young people will vote on this election

a couple of weeks ago I was asked about the upcoming federal election and what I was voting for. You can find out what I said along with what other young rural Victorians said regarding the election in the story below. With young people now making up a large portion of the vote it is now time to listen!

Three Years Of Bryce Pace - Autism Advocate!

Today we celebrate three years since I wrote the blog post that started it all. Three years ago today, I came home from school frustrated about how students were using autism as a way to insult their peers and teachers so I did what any teen does in this situation, I logged onto Facebook and began to write. Once I clicked ‘post’ my journey to become an autism advocate began. At the time though I could not have imagined what the road ahead had in store for me. Today I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way. I want to say thank you to the Victorian Student Representative Council, The Youth Affairs Council Victoria Rural, The Newsboys Foundation, The Warrnambool Standard, the teachers at Brauer College, Kaiko Fidgets, The Connect Magazine and of course my wonderful mother who has supported me on this journey from the very beginning. 
Four years ago, if you had of told me that I would be pursuing a career as an autism advocate and speaker I would not have believed you as I was still hiding my diagnosis from the world. It is amazing to look back and see how far we have come as a force within the autism community, from that first post revealing my diagnosis to now working on innovative projects such as the Recharge Rooms in Schools Program it has been an amazing ride. Bryce Pace – Autism Advocate is no longer just a place where you can read about autism, it is now where people can learn and actively contribute to the autism community. It is a safe place for families of autistics to learn to support their loved ones and it is a place where we can share each other’s stories and help create a world that will accept, include and embrace the autism spectrum. three years is a long time and we have achieved a lot in those years however there is still a long way to go until we reach our goal, so let’s get out there and create the world we want to see. 
Thank you for your continued support
Bryce Pace
Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker

Below is the post that started it all.

you can also read the post by heading to: www.brycepaceautismadvocate.com/the-first-blog-post

A Screenshot of a Facebook post with the post date April 10th 2016. the post reads In the past couple of years I have heard people use autism as an insult and I have seen people take selfies of themselves pulling silly faces saying they have autism or have captions such as “the autistic boys” I would like to say something about these people they do not know what autism is if they are mocking it like this. There are Autistic people all over the place they are just ordinary people with as some people describe it super powers. There are people who have autism and they walk past you every day and some even talk to you. I would like to ask a question and I want everyone to think about this. What is wrong with having autism? I would like to end this post with telling you a secret that I don’t tell many people as I am constantly worrying about what they are going to think of me if I tell them and I am sick of hiding who I am. I am autistic and I am proud to be as it gives me “super powers” I can smell fish and chips from a mile away and I can hear things most don’t know exist. Autism is not a disease nor is it contagious and it doesn’t mean I can’t go to school and do the same work everybody else does it doesn’t mean I can’t be who I want to be. I can be whatever I want. I constantly hear people use the question “are you autistic?” as an insult I have even being asked that question and I will answer that now yes I am autistic does anybody have a problem with that?
If you made it to the end of this post and still are willing to be friends with me then you are my true friends. I don’t want to be treated any different because I am autistic just remember that every post you make that makes fun of autism hurts somebody and that post is permanently on the internet like a tattoo is on your skin.
Thanks for reading
Bryce Pace

EXCTITING ANNOUNCEMENT!

This Mothers Day we will be doing an Ask Me Anything themed video featuring my wonderful mother. Watch video for more information and feel free to leave any questions you have for her in the comments.
Please keep in mind this video will not be a live stream at this stage.

Recharge Rooms In Schools Pilot Program

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Hi everyone, I have some exciting news. For the past 11 months, I have been working on a pretty cool project called the Recharge Rooms In Schools Program. This program allows schools to host one of my innovative Recharge Rooms permanently giving students of all abilities a safe and quiet space to go to relax and recharge at any point in the day that they feel overloaded. This program is one of a kind as it includes a consultation service in which I speak to school council, staff and students to design a space that suits the individual needs of your school and I assist in installing the space making the process as easy as possible. I am now looking for interested schools in Victoria to pilot this program in 2019. Pilot schools will be able to access this program at a subsidised cost and will act as a template for the future of this program. As many parents and teachers can agree this is a service that is long overdue, we lose too many young people who could possibly make a significant impact on our world because they cannot cope with mainstream school and it is time to act now before yet more young people slip between the cracks. If you are interested in being one of the pilot schools, feel free to email: bryce.pace.autism.advocate@gmail.com and if you have any questions feel free to also email the above email or leave a comment below.Thanks Bryce pace Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker

Exciting News

Hi everyone, I have some exciting news. On the 3rd of December, I am going to be on a radio show called The Inclusionist discussing inclusive education. This show will be on 3CR Radio which is 855 am at 10:30 am AEDT. Feel free to stay on the station until 7:00pm AEDT as the disability community takes over the station for International Day for people with a Disability and will feature artists who identify as having a disability and talk shows discussing all things disability. For more information and to view the timetable for the day head to: https://www.3cr.org.au/disabilityday2018

Misrepresented In The Media

Hi all today I was informed I had been featured in an article in the Portland Observer & Guardian regarding the I CAN Network expanding to Portland. The journalist who wrote this article neglected to ask my permission to feature me in this article and in doing so misrepresented me by using false and totally unsupported quotes from myself and apparently my Blog. The claims included that I didn’t think people on the spectrum were amazing unique individuals before I was part of the I CAN mentor program. I would just like to state that this information is so far from the truth, not only have I never stated this information in any of my content but prior to being part of the I CAN program I was already an active advocate. I have always believed autistic people are amazing individuals who deserve to be treated equally in everything they do however due to my treatment in Primary school I began to see autism as a disability instead of just a different set of abilities. I would also like to let everyone know that since I moved to Bacchus Marsh late last year I have been working as an independent advocate and am no longer with the I CAN Network. Despite no longer working with The I CAN Network I do support the work they are doing for the young people of south West Victoria who are on the spectrum and would like to wish the I CAN South West team all the best with their new program in Portland.Thanks Bryce Pace Autism Advocate, blogger, Speaker

Calum Courtney Makes The Grand Final Of Britain's Got Talent!

I am so pleased to say that Calum Courtney has made it through to the grand final of Britain's Got Talent and what better way is there than rewriting a song for your mother. Calum who is 10 years old and on the autism spectrum has shown the world that being autistic is not a negative thing that we should be ashamed of. he has shown us to be proud of who we are and that you can never be too young to do something amazing. I am looking forward to seeing his final performance and who knows he may even win which would be pretty cool. Calum I would like for the last time to wish you luck and it doesn't matter if you win or not as you have already done so much to change people's perceptions of autism.if you haven't seen his semi-final performance you can find it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbR8cOcY0vA you can also see his reaction to making it to the grand final at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz7Q2JNbBzQ good luck Calum and I am really looking forward to seeing what you sing next. Bryce Pace Autism Advocate, Blogger, Speaker