Celebrating Autism Acceptance – Enable Magazine

The debate about autism is growing across the UK and many celebrities with autism have embraced the opportunity to speak out about their diagnosis and experiences. There is still an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of people with autism and to better educate the public.

There are an estimated 700,000 adults and children with autism in the UK, yet much of the general public is unaware of how best to support people on the autism spectrum. Every year, global events celebrate the achievements of people with autism, teach others about what autism is, and help people with autism feel more accepted.

Autism Inclusion Month takes place each April, and as part of an awareness-raising event, British organizations such as the National Autism Association announced the Global Autism Inclusion Month, held from 27 March to 2 April. Mark the week This year they celebrated a color theme. One of the most common symbols or color associations used to describe autism is the rainbow spectrum, which describes the range of abilities and diagnoses on the autism spectrum and the various represents experience.

accept

Two years ago, this week was known as World Autism Awareness Week, but in order to represent the need for an inclusive community, not just autism awareness, Autism Embrace Week became known as His first week was held in 2007 and was originally intended to educate people about autism, and celebrating the achievements of people with autism is the focus of today’s week.

Date events, information and other resources should focus on the voices and stories of people with autism. Excluding people with autism from discussions about their lives can lead to misinformation, isolation, and lack of acceptance, which is what the week is all about.

join

With a few days left to align the event with Autism Acceptance Month, you can do something more personal for you and the people around you. You can host friends and family to start a conversation about autism acceptance. Take time to follow autistic creators on social media apps like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Or join a community group in your area.

The impact of these events will not stop as April ends. Autism acceptance is important all year round. Throughout the year, you can participate in fundraising activities and read educational resources about autism and other neurodivergent disorders.

education

Education settings can also participate, educating young people and staff about autism and how they can support people with autism in and out of the classroom. Free resources such as Twinkl’s Autism Acceptance Week Assembly PowerPoint (www.twinkl.co.uk) can help educate and inform students, but education staff should seek information from autism organizations and charities. You can use it or come up with your own way to celebrate autism. week in the classroom.

Autism Together provides free pre-recorded meetings, lesson plans, printable activities, and more for schools. If you want to get kids involved in your home, Autism Together’s Acceptance Month Funbook is a great way to keep them busy with puzzles, drawings and coloring while learning about autism, sensory and how to do Makaton sign language. These resources are available anytime, not just during the month of April.

wider impact

In addition to educating others about autism, celebrating people with autism, and providing opportunities to share their experiences, this month is a month for people with autism to reach out for help. It provides an opportunity to highlight services to reach out. Due to a lack of understanding, autism is often seen as a generic term that leaves people misunderstood and alone. This can lead to bullying and hate crimes, and young people with autism are more likely than their peers to experience bullying.Organizations like the Anti-Bullying Alliance (www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk) can provide advice and tools for parents and caregivers to support young people experiencing bullying.

Learn more from the National Autism Society (www.autism.org.uk) and autism together (www.autismtogether.co.uk).

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