Autism is a spectrum of disorders affecting language, behaviour and imaginative skills, and is estimated to affect one in 100 children. Yet even with these statistics, those that support children with autism in our schools and pre-schools receive little in the way of training and understanding of the condition.

So often parents of children with autism and the professionals that support them miss out on hearing high profile international speakers because they live in the regions. Course fees coupled with additional travelling time and expenses make seminars like this out of reach for many families and professionals in regional centres.

Our mission is to make quality training opportunities more accessible for teaching staff throughout the country by bringing high profile presenters to as many regional centres throughout New Zealand as possible.

As parents of children with autism - 

we are well aware of the issues facing teaching staff when a child on the spectrum starts in their class. Many teacher aides and teachers are given little guidance and support when it comes to teaching children on the spectrum, and there are few, if any, resources available to provide them with the professional development they need.

Visit: http://www.creatingsuccess.co.nz/Upcoming_Seminars.php

At the end of 2014 I won Ulster Wildlife 'Nature Matters' photographic competition with this photograph of a bee in flight.  The prize included a £700 camera, a £100 gift voucher and being part of an exhibition in Belfast City Hall as well as being on the cover of their annual calendar.  I was featured in the Northern Irish national newspapers.

What makes this story a little more interesting than just another photographer winning another photography competition is that I've only been taking photographs for nearly three years and I also suffer from a seriously debilitating illness, M.E.   My illness has left me largely housebound unless someone takes me out in the car, which I don't always want to do as it tires me out and it also means I can't access a lot of places or do a lot of things fit and healthy people can do.

I've not always been ill.  13 years ago I had a successful career as a secondary school teacher and loved life and everything I could do with life living in London.  The illness when it hit me was completely devastating.  I lost friends, I lost my life as I knew it and I lost my job.  I found myself in a deep dark pit.  I tried various things to make sense of my life, complimentary therapies, small businesses making craft items but they either didn't work or tired me out too much.

I started photography when I needed product photographs for my then craft business 'Glamsticks'.  I found it was something I could do around the house, photographing jewellery, ornament, bags, shoes.  I started making compositions with these objects, colour themed etc.  It was only really a hobby and I didn't really bother showing the photographs to anyone at that point.

When I moved to NI I saw there was a course at a local wildlife centre on wildlife photography.  I enquired if it was disabled friendly and it was and I was allowed to take a carer with me.  I loved it and developed a passion for wildlife photography.  The place I would go to had wheelchair friendly paths through the woods and I could get out of my wheelchair to walk a short distance into the woods and take the photographs.  I found the silence of the woods, the beauty of nature and the resulting photographs completely therapeutic and rewarding.

Some days I was too ill to leave my home, or I had no one to take me in the car so I would go out in the garden.  The photo that won the Ulster Wildlife competition was taken in my garden.  I got myself a small foldable seat and sat by some flower bushes and photographed the bees.  The result was winning a national competition.

My photography has amassed quite a following and I've branched out into fashion photography.  I have a small makeshift studio in a log cabin at the end of the garden and models come to me for portfolio photoshoots.  They all know I am ill and understand I have to have frequent breaks and rests but we have a great time and it means I get to do something meaningful, have company and don't have to leave my home.

The Ulster Wildlife competition has not been the only success in three years, I have had photographs featured on BBC TV and their website, photographs in books and I've won several smaller competitions.  I've also had photographs used in local newspapers and magazines.

I feel I have finally found something I can do that has meaning, has given me success and has enabled me to have some kind of productive life with the illness I have.  I am still very ill, I have to pace myself and not take on too many assignments (and I am in demand).  But it's something a lot of people can do who don't have much mobility or strength.  We may not be able to get out into the mountains to take cliff side photographs but I have proven you can win national competitions without leaving your garden.

Debbie Deboo - https://www.facebook.com/debbiedeboophotography

Also: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Geneva Centre for Autism is an international leader in the development and delivery of clinical intervention services and training.

The Training Institute of Geneva Centre for Autism was created in 1991 to address the need for wider public awareness and education on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). For twenty-two years the Training Institute has been a world leader in providing cutting edge training and education to professionals and families supporting individuals with an ASD.

The Training Institute has prided itself on the ability to adapt and evolve as mandated by research and changes in the field.

Visit: http://www.autism.net/