Meryl Keioske has used her Honours thesis to tackle the stigma surrounding mental illness, producing an arresting graphic novel about her life with Asperger’s Syndrome.
The Queensland College of Art student has just graduated from a Bachelor of Digital Media degree with Honours.
She was diagnosed at the age of 18 with Asperger’s Syndrome – a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
“I always felt different to everyone else, and I felt ashamed of it for many years,” she said.
“I think there is a lot of stigma attached to being on the autism spectrum – you are perceived as an outcast or a weirdo.
“Part of doing this project was attempting to come to terms with it, and learning to accept myself for who I am.”
Meryl hopes projects like hers will improve understanding of ASD and break down stereotypes.
“We’re not all like Rain Man, people
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