When is World Autism Acceptance Week?

28th March to 3rd April

 

What is World Autism Acceptance Week?

Throughout the week we will be sharing loads of resources, blogs and training. Each day we’ll add in more content so keep checking back each day! If you’re looking for some basic information around autism and what it is, head over to our FAQ’s and understanding autism pages.

 

Monday

To celebrate the launch of World Autism Acceptance Week we’re delighted to launch our brand new Autism Services Directory. The directory is a one-stop resource for people to find local and national support including schools, diagnostic services, social groups and more. It contains over 900 services in London and the surrounding areas and over the coming months we will be updating the directory to cover the whole UK. The project has been made possible through a grant from National Lottery Awards for All, and the brilliant work of our team of interns who have collated the catalogue of services.

 

Finding the right placement for your child can be a difficult task, and many families end up having to go through a challenging tribunal process. In this blog, one of our parents shares her experience of getting her son placed at Park House School and offers words of encouragement to families going through the same process.

 

Tuesday

We want autistic people to have the life skills to live their ideal week, empowering choice, independence and opportunity. A huge part of that is ensuring that the individual is at the centre of any planning. Take a look below at a recent Lunch and Learn hosted by David Anthony on person-centred planning. Or why not take a look at our free resources?

Another great tool to ensure that the needs of the individual are being met are visual stories. These are great supports to explain something new in a simple way. They can be used to support with coping strategies or a change in routine and can be as simple or complex as you need. Take a look at our handy guide for creating visual stories today.

 

Wednesday

Children with Special Educational Needs are 5 times more likely to be excluded from school than their peers. This is a shocking statistic that needs to change. If you’re wondering what additional support your school may need, why not have a look at our online training courses? They’re perfect for professionals, as well as families, looking to boost their knowledge. If coping with change and transition is a challenging aspect for your child or pupil, watch Matt Wicks, Outreach Consultant, talk you through some key strategies for dealing with change.

In her blog post, Hannah Smith, our Fast Responder, shares some of her top tips and strategies to support autistic children in the classroom, alongside discussing how a different approach could empower schools with the confidence and knowledge they need to avoid school placement breakdown.

 

Thursday

We want to see communities being supported to include autistic people. This week, our Community Engagement Officer has been visiting businesses close to our Early Years’ service to discuss how we can work together to achieve this goal. If you’re looking for ways to get involved this week, please consider making a donation and help us empower autistic people. It’s also not too late to sign up for a place in the Color Obstacle Rush in May. Join our growing team and help raise crucial funds in this unique 5km fun run where you’ll find foam, music, inflatable obstacles and more!

On Thursday evening, Tracie Coultas-Pitman, CEO, will also be joining Steve Simpson for an interview on his Parent’s Hour on Radio Verulam, 92.6 FM. Listen in to hear them discuss what we can all be doing to break down the prejudices that exist in society for autistic individuals.

 

Friday

Just 21.7% of autistic people are in employment, a figure which drastically needs to change. In our employability toolkit we challenge the traditional notion of employment and encourage employers to think of new ways to support. Download your free copy today and take a look through the resources available. It’s a great tool for both employers and autistic people looking for work.

Our work experience placement with Home Community Café in Earlsfield shows a great example of an organisation working with an individual to identify their strengths and create a role based on their skill set. Their staff always look for ways they can support our pupils and keep encouraging them to develop their skills. Read more about the partnership here.

Being half-way through their year with us, this week we also sat down with our interns Joe, Simone and Robert. We asked them what barriers they have faced in the past and why employment is important to them.

 

World Autism Acceptance Day

We recognise the importance of confident, resilient families. At a recent webinar, Bernadett Rankasz, Head of Early Years, shared some thoughts on the importance of early intervention and building parental resilience.

 

We’ve got loads planned for 2023, find out more today.