For one hour each week, a group of young Melburnians have a conversation entirely about what it is like to live with autism.
What makes this conversation particularly interesting is that it is broadcast on digital radio and podcast online, allowing the public a rare insight into the lives and challenges facing Australia’s youth on the spectrum.
Great Minds Don’t Think Alike is the brainchild of Julia Pillai, who combined her love of community radio and her autism advocacy work.
“I came up with the idea quite funnily in the shower, because that’s where good ideas come from,” she says.
The idea was a weekly radio show about autism and neurological differences, presented by young people on the spectrum.
Pillai pitched the program to youth community radio station SYN, and their diversity programming co-ordinator Danae Gibson was instantly intrigued.
The show first aired in July and the second season goes to air on Saturday.
“This season coming up we have a huge team of 14 young people,” Pillai says.
Their ages range from 13 to 25 and each week they pick up a microphone to discuss issues relating to autism and neurological differences such as ADHD and dyslexia.
SYN recently received funding for a partnering program between the station and organisations that work with young people from under represented backgrounds.
The Youth Media Diversity Partnerships Program means SYN can offer free radio training, membership and support to young people on the spectrum who want to be involved in the show.
Danae Gibson says the funding removes the barrier of cost, and encourages young people to participate.
“It’s young people on the autism spectrum taking control of the mode, making their own media and challenging stereotypes and learning to deal with each other,” Gibson says.
Topics previously covered on the show include relationships and sexuality, eugenics, terminology, bullying and tertiary education.
Pillai says the program allows society to understand autism through the experiences of those living with it.
And at a time when it is estimated that 66 per cent of adults with autism are unemployed, community radio is something to add to the CV.
“What makes the show important is not only that people can get training and work experience but at the same time it’s a show that educates the public about autism,” Pillai says.
Autism is far more wide-reaching than people might believe with one in 100 individuals understood to be on the spectrum.
Pillai says Great Minds Don’t Think Alike reminds people autism is common and while those on the spectrum are different in some ways, they should not be isolated or estranged.
“I think a lot of people think they are unaffected by autism when they are,” she says.
“Autistic people are everywhere. Everyone knows at least a couple of people on the spectrum.”
Great Minds Don’t Think Alike airs from 4-5pm on Saturdays on SYN NATION and is podcast online at syn.org.au
