In the world of autistic people - a workshop on people with the autism spectrum disorder for employees of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

See and understand - KGHM was a co-organizer of the workshop titled “The Reality of People with the Autism Spectrum Disorder,” which took place at the Gift of Fate Non-public Elementary School in Lubin. The workshop was attended by the company’s employees - parents of children with the autism spectrum disorder.

During the training, the participants had the opportunity to “enter” the world of people with the autism spectrum disorder. Special VR goggles, recordings, and simple tests performed using a mirror demonstrated to them the difficulties that both adults and children face on a daily basis.

“I am very grateful for this training. I know and will keep in mind that just because people with the autism spectrum disorder can’t express their needs, feelings, and thoughts directly, it doesn’t at all mean that they don’t have needs and feelings, and that they don’t think. They simply don’t know how to communicate them,” said one of the workshop participants. During the training, issues of concern to parents were also explained, and the opportunity to tour the school made it clear how many factors must be in place to ensure that autistic children have the right conditions for proper development and preparation for life in the society.

The workshop was conducted by experienced therapists and people working with autistic people. Studies show that they mainly have communication or emotional problems due to not being understood by those around them.

“This was our second meeting with KGHM employees. As therapists, as well as parents of children with the autism spectrum disorder, we know what problems they face. Meetings like this are a great place to exchange experiences,” said Malgorzata Grobelna, the Vice President of the Gift of Fate Friends of Children with Autism Foundation in Lubin.

As part of its CSR activities, KGHM is implementing the Company's Human Rights Policy and initiatives related to enhanced awareness of important pro-social topics. Workshops help to understand the behavior of others, but also strengthen the competence of the company’s employees.