Donna Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donna Williams
|
|
|---|---|
Donna Williams at the Heide Museum of
Modern Art in Bulleen, May 2011. |
|
| Born | Donna Keene 12 October 1963 Melbourne, Australia |
| Died | 22 April 2017 (aged 53) Ringwood East, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Period | 1992–2017 |
| Genre |
|
| Literary movement | Autism rights |
| Notable works |
|
| Spouse |
|
Donna Leanne Williams, also known as Donna Leanne Samuel, was an Australian writer, artist, and musician. She was born Donna Keene on 12 October 1963, in Melbourne, Australia, and passed away on 22 April 2017.
When she was two years old, doctors thought Donna had a severe developmental condition. Throughout her childhood, she was often tested for deafness and called "disturbed." In 1991, she was diagnosed with autism. She also received treatment for problems with her gut, immune system, and how she processed sensory information.
Donna Williams wrote four important books about her life with autism. These include Nobody Nowhere: The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic Girl (1992) and Somebody Somewhere: Breaking Free from the World of Autism (1994). She also released two music albums, Nobody Nowhere and Mutation. During the 1990s, several TV shows featured her story.
Donna was a qualified teacher and an international speaker. She also worked as a consultant, helping people understand the autism spectrum. She died from cancer in April 2017.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Donna Leanne Williams was born Donna Keene in October 1963. She grew up in Melbourne with two brothers. Donna often found comfort in "bright spots of fluffy color" by rubbing her eyes. This helped her escape the "intrusive gabble" of the human world. Her family life was challenging.
By age nine, Donna had developed two different ways of behaving. She called one "Willie," which was her rebellious side. The other was "Carol," who was kind and polite. Around this time, she was also found to have several food sensitivities, like to milk and gluten. She was given vitamins and zinc to help. When she was fifteen, Donna left home and worked various jobs, but it was hard for her to support herself.
With help from a social worker, Donna finished high school. She then went to La Trobe University in 1982. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Diploma of Education in 1990.
Understanding Autism
In 1991, Donna Williams was diagnosed with autism by Dr. Lawrence Bartak. He was a specialist at Monash Medical Centre. Dr. Bartak noted that Donna showed all the main signs of autism. He helped her learn to connect with the world around her.
In the mid-1990s, some people questioned if Donna was truly autistic. They thought that someone with autism couldn't write so well or be so insightful. However, experts like David Smukler later explained that these doubts came from a limited understanding of the autism spectrum. He noted that authors like Donna Williams and Temple Grandin helped people see autism from an "inside out" view. Today, their experiences are widely accepted and valued.
Her Career and Work
By 1992, Donna Williams was a qualified teacher. She became a well-known international speaker. She also worked as a consultant, sharing her knowledge about autism. In 2002, she joined a review panel for the Medical Research Council in the UK. This group looked into the causes of autism.
Books She Wrote
In 1992, Donna published her first book, Nobody Nowhere: The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic Girl. This book became a huge international success. It spent fifteen weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list. The book helped many people understand what it might be like to have autism. Donna originally wrote it as notes to herself to make sense of her world. A therapist encouraged her to share it.
Her second autobiography, Somebody Somewhere: Breaking Free from the World of Autism, came out in 1994. This book described her journey after her first book was published. It showed her emotional growth as she continued her education and therapy. She became more open and less protected by her usual autistic behaviors. Later, she wrote Like Colour to the Blind: Soul Searching and Soul Finding (1996) and Everyday Heaven: Journeys Beyond the Stereotypes of Autism (2004). Her writing style often reflected her unique thought processes, using many images and feelings.
Donna also wrote several non-fiction books about autism and other developmental conditions. These include Autism – an Inside-out Approach (1996) and Autism and Sensing: The Unlost Instinct (1998). She also published two collections of poetry and prose: Not Just Anything: A Collection of Thoughts on Paper (2004) and Weirdos Like Me (2009).
TV Documentaries
Donna Williams was featured in several TV documentaries. In 1993, "My Experience with Autism, Emotion and Behavior" aired in the United States. This show highlighted her unique way of communicating. She often needed to listen or look, but not both at the same time.
In 1995, a documentary called Jam Jar aired in the UK. Donna helped the audience understand autism better. She explained that autistic people have their own way of seeing the world. Another documentary, Yokosho Watashi No Sekai E "Jiheisho" Donna Williams, was shown in Japan in 1995. A German documentary, Illness as fate, also featured her in 1997.
In 2010, a play in Hungary used quotes from Nobody Nowhere. This play helped audiences understand autism through the words of autistic authors.
Music and Art
Donna Williams released her first music album, Nobody Nowhere, in 2000. It was named after her first book. Two songs from this album were used in a Japanese TV series about an autistic woman. In 2005, she released her second album, Mutation. Both albums featured her own music and lyrics. Mutation also included spoken word poetry.
Donna was also a self-taught artist. She began painting as an adult. She also created sculptures, including some that were life-sized.
Her Personal Life
Donna Williams was the older sister of the street artist "Duel" (Tom Williams).
In 1993, Donna married Ian, but they divorced after two years. Their relationship is described in her books. On 9 December 2000, Donna married Chris Samuel in England. In 2002, they moved back to Australia. Donna and Chris created a website called auties.org. This website helped autistic people find ways to work for themselves.
Her Health Journey
Donna Williams had a family history of cancer. In 2011, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The cancer later spread throughout her body. She chose to receive palliative care to manage her symptoms and improve her quality of life in her final days. She also spoke out, encouraging her state leader to pass laws about "Dying with Dignity."
