'It was the first time that I've ever really felt like an equal’: How CMU volleyball helped spread autism awareness
During its match on Oct. 23, Central Michigan volleyball played for more than a win, while aiming to create a sports-watching experience accessible to everyone.
In their second matchup against Miami (Ohio), the Chippewas held an Autism Acceptance Match that included aspects to make it a more comfortable environment for people on the autism spectrum.
The idea began with volleyball head coach Mike Gawlik, who was inspired by his four-year-old daughter who has autism.
“My daughter, she's on the spectrum for autism and was diagnosed roughly three years ago,” Gawlik said. "And so, as I've learned more and more about the autistic community, and trying to educate myself, I think it became apparent to me that there's, in some ways, some gaps in what people know.”
However, it goes beyond that for Gawlik as he wants to show there is neurodiversity on campus.
“I hope people walked away with just understanding that it's a piece of our community that's existed for a long time,” Gawlik said. “And having a little bit of understanding or compassion for somebody that maybe sees the world differently than you, I think, makes us all better people.”
In order to help spread the message, Gawlik enlisted the help of the CMU Autism Spectrum Club. Which is a peer support group through the Counseling Center that meets once a week to provide a safe space for students on the autism spectrum.
“We asked if the Autism Spectrum Club would be willing to maybe shoot some educational videos and educate our athletes,” Gawlik said. “And they were on board with that. We wanted it to be a dialogue between the Autism Spectrum Club and our athletes so that our athletes could really learn and sit down and understand. And the (Autism Spectrum Club) were so gracious to be able to do that.”
CMU's Autism Spectrum Club
The Autism Spectrum Club, including Club President Alexandria Alma and new member John Criger, helped put together the event and provided insight on how to do the event properly.
“(Gawlik) emailed me, saw that we were through the Counseling Center because he was just going through those resources,” Alma said. “And his daughter is autistic and he wanted to work with some autistic adults to make a game as welcoming both for autistic people and to educate the audience about autism, especially (to) talk about things that you don't normally talk about.
“We're talking more about the internal experiences and what it's like living with this particular disability. And so I talked to the coach at a meeting and we got some ideas put into place. And then a few weeks later, we got a time scheduled to make the videos.”
The club has made efforts to spread awareness about autism all over campus including the Autism Acceptance Match.
“We're doing a lot of different things besides just this volleyball game,” Alma said. “There's been a student panel, there's been a focus group, lots of talking to different faculty members to get involved in things like research and even the threads fashion show. So we're trying to get the word out there about autism and promote inclusion of really the entire disability community within CMU’s community.”
Along with trying to get awareness about autism, the group focuses on helping people talk about their experiences. Alma says that this group has helped her with acceptance of her autism and helps other members as well.
“I think there's always a period with autism, where it's like, you get diagnosed, and then there's a transition from learning that you're autistic to then accepting that part of you,” Alma said. “And I think that this group is a big part of encouraging you to accept yourself and learn to love yourself for who you are.”
Criger said he has been able to be more open about his autism since joining the club.
“It's allowed me to be more open and vulnerable about my autism,” Criger said. "Because it's something I've never really opened up with. I've only opened up with a few select people in my life that weren't my immediate family. So it's always something I always kept very private. And I never really felt like I had the chance to be open about it till now.”
The club creates a safe space for autistic students to feel included.
“It was the first time that I've ever really felt like an equal and equally valued member of a group,” Alma said. “I actually felt like I was a part of a group conversation for the first time instead of just being on the outside.”
Alma believes that instead of seeing what is portrayed in the media, it is important to learn from someone with autism to get their experiences because every person is different.
“I think it's really important to talk to an autistic person,” Alma said. “Especially because there's a lot of stereotypes perpetuated online and in the media. So I think it's really important to talk to an actually autistic person and learn about what it's like to live with this disability, and that it's really not as polarized as media portrays it to be.”
The Autism Spectrum Club wants to hit home that everyone on the autism spectrum experiences are different.
“I guess I wish other people knew that my autism is just my autism,” Criger said “Someone else's autism is totally different, and the way they experience the world… Yes, I'm autistic. But there's more beyond (that).”
If you are interested in joining the Autism Spectrum Club or learning more about their mission, reach out to alma1aj@cmich.edu.
