Ballan-based charity Keeley's Cause will promote a focus on ability, rather than disability, during autism awareness month in April.
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"People may have a disability but if you look closely enough and push that disability word aside, they have ability," Keeley's Cause director Sharon Murphy said.
"People with a disability have dreams, but society doesn't always allow them to realise their dreams."
Keeley's Cause was started by Ballan teenager Keeley Murphy two and a half years ago with a dream to provide iPads for children with autism or an intellectual disability.
We can we focus on what children can do well and assist them to achieve.
- Sharon Murphy, Keeley's Cause director
Keeley, now 15, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at a young age and was recently diagnosed with an intellectual disability.
She found an iPad helped improve her learning experience.
Keeley's Cause has now raised more than $60,000 and presented 99 iPads to recipients across Australia.
"When children focus on their special talents and interests they can achieve great things," Ms Murphy said.
"Some children with autism have fixations - for example some can tell you anything about dinosaurs, one day they could become a paleontologist.
"A child who is obsessed with gaming could become a game designer for a big company in years to come.
"Keeley has a low IQ and academically she functions at a low lever, but ability wise she created this organisation that is now a national charity.
"We can we focus on what children can do well and assist them to achieve."
The world will reocgnise World Autism Awareness Day on Thursday, during a health crisis that places people with autism at disproportionate risk, according to United Nations.
At home, Keeley and her family will celebrate her most recent achievement. This week they found out Keeley was the recipient of the David Foster Award for volunteering through Autism Spectrum Australia.
Globally, one in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder and 205,200 Australians are recorded with the condition.
Autism is a developmental disability that affects a person's ability to communicate, interact with others and cope in everyday situations.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
