Kate Winslet and Autism. Famous Actor Sets up "The Golden Hat Foundation".

Communicating your desires to another person: telling them you love them, asking a question, sharing your fears, or even just giving someone you love a hug. These are all normal ways humans can (and do) communicate with each other.

Imagine never being able to do this? Imagine being stuck in a condition that doesn’t allow free communication, or being able to tell someone you are feeling sick and need help? Anyone who suffers from Autism has impaired communication skills, and it depends on the severity of the condition whether they can communicate at all.

Kate Winslet has added her star power to raise awareness of Autism. Happening by chance after a documentary DVD was sent to her, Kate has now founded a non-profit organisation, “The Golden Hat Foundation” in the hope to raise funds to build shared accommodation for young and mature adults with autism. The accommodation will provide facilities and full time care in a dignified environment giving independence to people who may have never had it. Adults with autism and aspergers can have the capacity to look after themselves so the opportunity to be in a home of their own will be of great benefit.

In a special collaboration with Lancôme (Kate has been the brand’s ambassador since 2007), fund raising begins soon with the cosmetic company producing a limited make up range with proceeds from the sales going to the Ms Winslet’s charity.

Kate was surprised at how huge the problem of autism is on a global scale. Statistics say that 1 in 160 children has some form of autism with some studies saying it is 1 in 110. Whatever the stats say, the incidence of autism seems to be on the increase.

An article in the Sunday Telegraph magazine “Sunday” written by Suzanne Wangmann explains how Kate Winslet became involved in such a worthy cause culminating in "The Golden Hat Foundation", the support of Lancôme and a book. Ms Wangmann has a son with autism. The article highlighted Ms Wangmann’s approach to her son’s treatments and how the DVD changed her view of educating her own son.

Kate Winslet was asked to voice-over an autism documentary “A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism” in 2009, the original version was in Icelandic. Cherie Blair (ex wife of former British prime minister Tony Blair) sent Kate a DVD with a letter asking her to do an English narration and after watching the documentary Kate didn’t hesitate to say yes.

The story is about Keli, an 11-year-old boy who has moderate-to-severe autism and how Margret Ericsdóttir, his mother, searches for a style of education that would assist Keli despite the limitations of his condition. Keli’s major sensory issues include not being able to look ahead; tilting his head and looking out of the corners of his eyes, stimming (repetitive waving usually with something in his hand) and not speaking. These issues are common amongst autistic children and it’s easy to see why children such as Keli don’t seem to understand what is happening around them.

Determined not to let these issues hinder Keli’s learning, Ericsdottir took him to Austin, Texas in the USA and found HALO (Helping Autism Through Learning and Outreach), a school where autistic kids are taught using a letter board. The success of this school shows in the children, who, previously unable to communicate were now showing a sense of humour, had opinions and were able to spell. Schools such as HALO help people to appreciate that autistic children do hear and understand even though they may be trapped in a body not willing to comply.

Kate received a poem written by Keli called “The Golden Hat” four months after her work on the film and its from this poem that the idea of the charity and a book, “The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism by Kate Winslet and Margret Ericsdottir with Keli Thorsteinsson came about. The book is a collection of self-portraits of famous people all wearing Winselt’s old trilby hat. To be released in April 2012 the book is published by Simon & Schuster. Proceeds from the book sales will go to the foundation.

Winslet is committed to making a difference, “To live a life of dignity, independence and fun – to whatever level you can manage – these are things every human being has a right to.”

Children with autism may not grow up to be everything they can be but that is not a reason to give up on them. Ask any parent of an autistic child and they will give you many reasons why an autistic child is just a lovable as any other.

For more information about the foundation’s work, visit www.goldenhatfoundation.org.

For more information about the DVD, visit http://www.amotherscourage.org/

If you're interested in buying the book, visit http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Hat-Talking-Back-Autism/dp/1451645430/ref=pd_rhf_sc_p_t_1

Note: The booked will be launched on April 3, 2012.

Read Suzanne Wangmann's article here, http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/sunday-magazine/its-not-to-raise-my-profile/story-e6frf039-1226167452290

You can buy the DVD by clicking on the link below. It is also featured on HBO as one of the documentaries of 2011.

Mother's Courage, A: Talking Back to Autism

A film by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson

http://www.amotherscourage.org/

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