Autism is a disorder that can not easily be described. It can be reflected in different ways and to varying degrees. Everything that people with autism see, hear, smell, feel is processed in a different way. People with autism often have a good eye for detail, they are honest, straightforward, analytical and hardworking, but they have trouble making contact, are often afraid of changes, have a need for rituals and are often hypersensitive to stimuli. More than 1% of the Dutch population - about 190,000 people - has a form of autism. It is not clearly visually apparent, and no person with autism is the same. Autism is often confronted with prejudices, misperceptions and stigma. This makes it more difficult for them to function in society. With this project Madeleine hopes to shine a different light on autism, so that people are able to see the beauty of autism and that autistic people can also be interesting, funny and sweet.

Since autism exists in many varying forms, more stories of autistic people will follow in this project, starting with the story about my uncle Rob. Rob (53) suffers from autism, but to me he is just uncle Rob. He is kind, well organized and a bit peculiar. I find it sweet how he lives his life in his own way, and I want others to see that too.


Photo documentary about autism, classical autism.
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Rob (53) lives in Oss, the Netherlands. After supervised community living for the biggest part of his life, Rob lives independently since 1998. Rob gets a half-hour counseling on a weekly basis. His mail is checked and they go through things like his social interaction and leisure activities. ×
Rob (53) lives in Oss, the Netherlands. After supervised community living for the biggest part of his life, Rob lives independently since 1998. Rob gets a half-hour counseling on a weekly basis. His mail is checked and they go through things like his social interaction and leisure activities. ×
Documentary photography about autism
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Rob’s bedroom is tidy. His bed is neatly made every day and his pajamas put folded on his pillow. These kind of rituals are important to Rob as they give him structure. This apparently inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals is common in classical autism. ×
Rob’s bedroom is tidy. His bed is neatly made every day and his pajamas put folded on his pillow. These kind of rituals are important to Rob as they give him structure. This apparently inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals is common in classical autism. ×
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Rob’s bedroom is tidy. His bed is neatly made every day and his pajamas put folded on his pillow. These kind of rituals are important to Rob as they give him structure. This apparently inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals is common in classical autism. ×
Rob’s bedroom is tidy. His bed is neatly made every day and his pajamas put folded on his pillow. These kind of rituals are important to Rob as they give him structure. This apparently inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals is common in classical autism. ×
fotodocumentaire, autistisch, autist, geestelijk gehandicapt, reportage fotografie, reportage over autisme
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Rob is from a Catholic family of seven children. His parents could not offer him the care he needed. At the age of 4 he went to a psychological youth institution. At 12 years he was placed in family replacing homes for disabled people. He was brought up by nuns for a long period in a house on cloister grounds. Belief is a matter of course for him and therefore something solid in his life, but that does not necessarily mean that he believes in God. ×
Rob is from a Catholic family of seven children. His parents could not offer him the care he needed. At the age of 4 he went to a psychological youth institution. At 12 years he was placed in family replacing homes for disabled people. He was brought up by nuns for a long period in a house on cloister grounds. Belief is a matter of course for him and therefore something solid in his life, but that does not necessarily mean that he believes in God. ×
fotodocumentaire, autistisch, autist, geestelijk gehandicapt, reportage fotografie, reportage over autisme
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Regularity and structure are Rob’s footing. He likes everything to remain the same. For several years work has been uncertain for Rob, as his current job is not cost effective. In addition, his father deceased almost three years ago. For someone who can not easily adapt to change, this can be very stressful. ×
Regularity and structure are Rob’s footing. He likes everything to remain the same. For several years work has been uncertain for Rob, as his current job is not cost effective. In addition, his father deceased almost three years ago. For someone who can not easily adapt to change, this can be very stressful. ×
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Rob always uses his orange mug. The other tableware is only for guests. Forming relationships with other people does not come naturally to him, but he has learned that social interaction is important. He seeks social contact by visiting a list of people from now and then or he invites them to his house. The Mickey Mouse phone is something he has long been looking for. ×
Rob always uses his orange mug. The other tableware is only for guests. Forming relationships with other people does not come naturally to him, but he has learned that social interaction is important. He seeks social contact by visiting a list of people from now and then or he invites them to his house. The Mickey Mouse phone is something he has long been looking for. ×
Photo documentary about Rob who suffers from classical autism.
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Rob always uses his orange mug. The other tableware is only for guests. Forming relationships with other people does not come naturally to him, but he has learned that social interaction is important. He seeks social contact by visiting a list of people from now and then or he invites them to his house. The Mickey Mouse phone is something he has long been looking for. ×
Rob always uses his orange mug. The other tableware is only for guests. Forming relationships with other people does not come naturally to him, but he has learned that social interaction is important. He seeks social contact by visiting a list of people from now and then or he invites them to his house. The Mickey Mouse phone is something he has long been looking for. ×
Photo documentary about autism
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Rob in concentration as he brushes his teeth. The iformation processing within the brains of people with autism operates in another way. Seeing, hearing, smelling, etc. is processed in a different way. Autism therefore has much to do with the processing of stimuli. Over and under stimulation or hypersensitivity often occur. ×
Rob in concentration as he brushes his teeth. The iformation processing within the brains of people with autism operates in another way. Seeing, hearing, smelling, etc. is processed in a different way. Autism therefore has much to do with the processing of stimuli. Over and under stimulation or hypersensitivity often occur. ×
In depth photo portrait of autistic Rob
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Rob has several drawings and prints of water purification plants on his walls, because he has a strong interest for water purification. He knows everything about the process, and regularly visits water purification plants. It is common that people with autism are interested in one specific subject or thing.

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Rob has several drawings and prints of water purification plants on his walls, because he has a strong interest for water purification. He knows everything about the process, and regularly visits water purification plants. It is common that people with autism are interested in one specific subject or thing.

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Classical autism in photography
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Rob is employed since 1981 by IBN, a recruitment company for people with disabilities. They seconded him to different companies. He already works at Macek, a production company in the field of plastics and packaging materials, for four years. His current job is not cost-effective. This uncertainty and prospect of change produces stress with Rob. He does not want to talk about this. ×
Rob is employed since 1981 by IBN, a recruitment company for people with disabilities. They seconded him to different companies. He already works at Macek, a production company in the field of plastics and packaging materials, for four years. His current job is not cost-effective. This uncertainty and prospect of change produces stress with Rob. He does not want to talk about this. ×
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The dog cushion, just like the Mickey Mouse phone and the CD rack, is something that Rob finds nice to decorate his house with. ×
The dog cushion, just like the Mickey Mouse phone and the CD rack, is something that Rob finds nice to decorate his house with. ×
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The dog cushion, just like the Mickey Mouse phone and the CD rack, is something that Rob finds nice to decorate his house with. ×
The dog cushion, just like the Mickey Mouse phone and the CD rack, is something that Rob finds nice to decorate his house with. ×
Portrait photography of autistic people.
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Rob at a pancake house near Oss, the Netherlands. Rob amuses himself just fine being alone. He fills his time with diverse leisure activities, and regularly goes on holiday or day trips. As long as he can be in his own world, he is in his element. That is his enjoyment. But that does not mean he does not like company. ×
Rob at a pancake house near Oss, the Netherlands. Rob amuses himself just fine being alone. He fills his time with diverse leisure activities, and regularly goes on holiday or day trips. As long as he can be in his own world, he is in his element. That is his enjoyment. But that does not mean he does not like company. ×
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Rob at a pancake house near Oss, the Netherlands. Rob amuses himself just fine being alone. He fills his time with diverse leisure activities, and regularly goes on holiday or day trips. As long as he can be in his own world, he is in his element. That is his enjoyment. But that does not mean he does not like company. ×
Rob at a pancake house near Oss, the Netherlands. Rob amuses himself just fine being alone. He fills his time with diverse leisure activities, and regularly goes on holiday or day trips. As long as he can be in his own world, he is in his element. That is his enjoyment. But that does not mean he does not like company. ×
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Rob leaving the pancake house. Sign saying ‘Thank you and goodbye’. Frank words that easily fit Rob. People with autism are often direct in their communication. ×
Rob leaving the pancake house. Sign saying ‘Thank you and goodbye’. Frank words that easily fit Rob. People with autism are often direct in their communication. ×
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