Autism Stories is a documentary photo project that explores the lives of persons with autism.

The project focuses on the life stories of people with autism and of those around them, with all their ups and downs, the joys and the struggles. It explores the relationships between the persons with autism, those supporting them, and society at large.

What does their autism mean in terms of daily tasks, parenting, autonomy, relationships, or work? What are the coping mechanisms they develop? How is the interaction between people with autism and their non-autistic peers? How do parents of autistic kids organize their life, build support systems for their children, and manage psychologically?

Although autism has received increasing attention lately, most people still know little about what it means to live with autism. Stereotypes and false information concerning autism still abound. The lives of those living with autism and their families remain largely invisible.

My intention is not to turn these persons into heroes or victims, nor to speak on their behalf. My intention is not to romanticize autism or, conversely, to only show its drawbacks. My intention is to show these people as whole human beings, with preferences, needs, desires, fears, frustrations, abilities, and limitations. People who claim their place in a society that is unwilling to recognize and treat them as whole human beings.

The project is supported by GAMP, a Belgian association that fights for better and more inclusive services for persons with handicap with high dependency.

Moreover, my contact with the participants was facilitated by:

Eole, an organisation supporting the socialization and professional/social inclusion for adults with autism spectrum disorder (without associated intellectual disability).

Villa Pilifs, a reception facility dedicated to people with mental disabilities and which has adapted collective housing and a day center for its residents and participants during the day, in the evening and on weekends.