Kate Winslet - America's Autism Advocate?

www.goldenhatfoundation.org

 Kate Winslet. Probably best known for Hamlet or Titanic, the 36 year-old actress has founded a charity The Golden Hat Foundation to raise public awareness of autism. So what is autism? According to The National Autistic Society, it is 

"...a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them."

   Autism is a spectrum condition, which means that regardless of the same difficulties they share, they will be affected in a variety of ways. As someone who has spent the past three years looking after autistic children up to the age of sixteen, it becomes very clear to see that the ability to function varies dramatically from child to child. Some children will grow up to lead relatively independent lives, whereas others will never get the chance to move out of their parents house due to severe learning difficulties. These children will need a lifetime of support and additional care from professionals. Another common aspect of autism which, if you have experience with autistic children, you'd have seen is over-sensitivity. This is often seen in regards to the senses, such as sounds, touch, taste, smell, lights and colours. The characteristics of autism vary from one person to another but are generally divided into three main groups of difficulties with 1. social communication, social interaction and social imagination. 

(www.prasannaautismcentre.com)

  You may have heard of Asperger Syndrome- this is a form of autism. Children who suffer from Aspergers have high or above-average intelligence. Speaking is often much less of a problem for them, however language and communication in social situations can still remain a problem for them.

WHAT IS SHE DOING? 
  Winslet is attempting to raise awareness and the funding for specialist education centres to help children who suffer from autism to fulfil their full potential. In order to do this, Kate is asking her celebrity friends to wear an old Trilby of hers, and take a snap of themselves... Rather odd? Well, perhaps. Celebrities donning this hat include Sting, Ben Stiller, Christina Aguilera, Jude Law and George Clooney, including many more! These have been compiled, along with personal words from the celebrities, Winslet herself, but also poems written by a boy by the name of Keli Thorsteinsson. Keli, aged 12, was the inspiration for Winslet, after she narrated the Icelandic documentary 'A Mother's Courage: Talking Back To Autism.'

www.jglxellen.tumblr.com 

   Kate's long-standing association with Lancôme has resulted in a fund-raising limited edition line of make-up. The Golden Hat Foundation Collection includes basic partying staples, comprising of blusher, lipstick and nail polish. All are embossed with the Golden Hat Foundation logo. 

"Lancôme's instant offer of support was a huge display of confidence and generosity and I knew it would open many doors"

Check out the website, facebook and twitter here.

Take time to have a look... A very worthy cause that's pretty close to my heart...
Bea xo