UK – Olley Edwards is an author, actress and film director. She tirelessly campaigns on the rights for autistic women and for better and early diagnosis. Olley is the mother to two girls who are on the autistic spectrum, and she was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. She attended the UN Conference for Economic Commission for Europe; highlighting this issues of autism and women, and has spoken at many conferences and venues on the subject of females and autism diagnosis. She was recently interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour about her own personal diagnostic experience. In May this year we covered Olley’s new short documentary film, Epidemic of Knowledge, that explores the reality of autism diagnosis in females by sharing Olley’s story. Our article can be read here, http://www.
We caught up with Olley and asked her some questions about her film, and her recent experiences at the Cannes Film Festival.
Below is our interview with Olley.
Can you tell us a little about your experience at the Canne Film Festival?
Cannes was an incredible experience. I would watch Cannes on the TV from home for years and had always dreamt of going. I was worried that the reality of Cannes may not live up to the expectations but expectations were surpassed, Cannes was everything I had hoped and more. To be able to go with the aim of raising awareness on Autism and girls was just a dream come true. Producer Clive and I were really surprised how laid back, approachable and down to earth everyone was. There was no point where even “new comers” were made to feel any different to the seasoned professionals. I would recommened Cannes to anyone who makes, writes or prouduces films on any level
How was the film received?
Epidemic of Knowledge was well recieved by those who watched it in Short film corner. It was a great way to raise awareness as the whole point of Cannes short film corner is to network and discuss your film with as many people as possiable. I really feel in doing so, that the subject of Autism and girls has reached more people that are not touched by Auitism in own lives, and , even better I managed to make friends and meet with other film professionals that have Autism in their life and this was truly lovely! I have made some life long friends. Epidemic of Knowledge was in the short film corner rather than in competition so no laurels to be gained. Epidemic of knowledge has however won Laurels in other festivals now. Epidemic of knowledge was the Winner in disability issues genre in San Francisco, The Winner of an award of merit in disbaility issues at Indie fest California and was the Finalist in Womens issues in Florida
Can you tell me about the Peace and Film festival?
Yes ! This is a very exciting event held in America , the “International Peace and Film Festival ” takes place in Florida in November. People go form all over the world I am going there to do a 40 minute presentation on the subject of females, autism and diagnosis. Epidemic of Knowledge will also be shown. It’s really great way to raise acceptance and understanding for females over the world and I am delighted to be invited
When will our readers be able to watch Epidemic of Knowledge and where can they do so?
The trailer has just gone up on YouTube but the documentary itself is still not online. This is a real shame as we are desperate to share with as many people as we can, however as the documentary is still very much in the festivals stage, we are not able to upload online due to regulations. Our aim is to have the film online for Autism Awareness month, April 2016. In the meantime any festivals that we are fortunate enough to be accepted into will be posted onto the Epidemic of Knowledge Facebook page. (link)Therefore people, if local can get tickets for the event. As of September onwards we should start hearing about accpetance of UK festivals.
Below you can watch the trailer for Epidemic of Knowledge.
You have been on BBC Radio 4 chatting on Woman’s Hour about Aspergers and late diagnosis. How did this come about?
I was called by the National Autistic Society press team in regards to Woman’s Hour, asking If I felt comfortable to share our story on air. It was an obvious “yes!” and a fantastic tool to reach out to others on a national level. Dr Gould was also in attendance which I was unaware of untill about 15 minutes before we went live, which was a lovely surprise and made the experinece much more enjoyable
You also recently attended the BAFTA’s. How was this experience?
Bafta was the Women in film and TV AGM and Birthady party event which was a powerhouse of women in media who all support one another and make connections. It was a wonderful evening with lovely food! Most of all I was grateful to meet so many other women who really are breaking the glass ceilings of equality in media
Can you tell me about your recent survey ‘Female Autistic Traits in Males’ and why you have gathered this information? Who is it in collaboration with?
I have recently conducted a flash 24 hour survey and written a draft paper. The paper is about the importance of gender fluidity being taken into account at point of diagnosis. I think this is really important, just as Autism is a spectrum so is humanity! We are also a wonderful, complexity of gender. Just as many women who present with more male Autistic traits were firstly “picked up” as Autistic before the more feminine traits and presentation were, I fear now that in the mass explosion of Females and Autism ( which is amazing don’t get me wrong), that now some men who present more feminine traits will be overlooked and unsupported. A group that will neither fit “neatly” into either “box”. The knowledge of Autistic females and their many presentations has been, I feel, one of the most important paths of awareness, not just in Autism but in health as a whole. I do feel though that it’s important in raising awareness to look at all aspects, hence the survey. The feedback was outstanding. I look forward to sharing this in September some time
You are incredibly busy at the moment, but do you have any more future plans?
Right now it’s the summer holidays and my daily plan and goals are quite simply keeping 3 young ladies happy. I have recently wriiten a draft comment to be suggested for the United Nations Human Rights of Women and Disabilities, and I have mentioned the gender fluidity while also talking about the importance of meaningful sexual health education and the training of how to report abuse if you are Autistic. Theory of mind prevents such reporting, this is a really important area that needs to be implemented to ensure that disabled females have the equality of safeguarding as do women with other disabilities or non disabilities. As of September, I am looking forward to working on the paper i mentioned above and sharing it , I am planning to write a power point presentation for America and I am looking forward to hearing which festivals Epidemic of knowledge is accepted into between now and April
I would also like to send a heartfelt thank you to all my friends in the UK and US who have supported my film and many other projects and have been a daily backbone. They know who they are and I just want to say THANK YOU
We would like to thank Olley for taking the time to answer our questions. We look forward to sharing Epidemic of Knowledge with you next year, and thank you Olley for all of the work that you do in campaigning for women on the spectrum.