World Autism Acceptance Week 2023
27th March – 2nd April
Every spring the National Autistic Society holds World Autism Acceptance Week to raise funds and promote acceptance of autistic people.
2023’s theme is colour. You can sign up for the virtual Spectrum Colour Challenge now. The National Autistic Society offers a range of ideas for fundraising on its website.
We stand with the National Autistic Society and its goals to increase understanding and inclusion of autistic people. As specialists in education, we have provided free guidance for the general public. Here are some frequently asked questions:
What is autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to the world around them. It is a spectrum disorder, meaning people can experience autism in different ways.
What communication challenges do autistic people face?
Autistic people can have difficulty understanding facial expressions, tone of voice and social context. They may struggle to understand the emotions of others.
How can you tell someone is autistic?
Here are some behaviours that are common in autistic people. However, it is important to remember that not everyone with autism demonstrates these behaviours, and not everyone who demonstrates these behaviours has autism.
- Repetition
- Inflexibility
- Special interests
- Sensory sensitivity
- Anxiety
- Dyspraxia
Autism is diagnosed by a team of specialists who conduct an assessment. It is not your responsibility to diagnose autism in yourself or others. If you want to know whether you or your child has autism, speak to your GP.
What is sensory sensitivity?
Sometimes a certain sight, sound, touch, taste or smell can be overwhelming. This is true for everyone and is not exclusive to autistic people, but it is more common in autistic people.
My friend/family member/colleague is autistic. What can I do to help them?
As people experience autism on a spectrum, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. All people, including autistic people, should be treated with respect, understanding and acceptance. In general, you can help the autistic people in your life by communicating clearly, accepting any behaviours that might seem strange to you, and not creating overwhelming sensory stimuli.
The advice above is intended for the general public. Our accredited training centres offer training for those who provide care for autistic people:
- Level 2 Award in Autism Spectrum
- Level 2 Award in Learning Disability & Autism
If you would like to become an accredited training centre and deliver this training, please get in touch with Advantage Accreditation.
