Today is World Autism Awareness Day

This year the theme is: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World.

World Autism Awareness Day was established in 2007 by the United Nations General Assembly.

The aim is to increase awareness about autism, to help people develop knowledge about autism and deliver information on how important it is to detect an early diagnosis.

Autism affects both boys and girls, of all races, in all countries around the world. It is immensely common, which is why raising awareness of autism is essential.

Ways everyone can celebrate- 

• Truly reflect to see how you can support people with autism in a way that changes lives.
• Develop your understanding of autism and help to spread awareness in your communities.
• Support a family you know whose child has autism.
• Getting involved in events run by autism communities.
• Listening to people you know who have autism about what it means to them.
• Engaging in discussions with your children so that they become aware and accepting of their similarities and differences.

One way to develop your own knowledge and understanding is to watch these videos from young people explaining what it can be like to be autistic.

VIDEOS www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

World Autism Awareness Week

World Autism Awareness Week

27th March-2nd April 2017

World Autism Awareness Week (WAAW) is celebrated every year around the globe, as a way of increasing awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and helping everybody to understand what this means. 

At Bannockburn, we have marked the occasion by holding special assemblies in each class to explain what autism is and for children to have time to discuss and ask questions.

One of the pieces of information shared with children was about statistics and how it is more than likely that children will have others within their class who are autistic.

•Over 1 in every 100 people are on the autism spectrum, which means there are around 140,000 school age children in the UK on the spectrum.

•Of these 140,000 children, the vast majority attend mainstream schools, which means that most children will have at least one autistic classmate during their time at school.

We have also encouraged staff around the school to think about autism and to create a working wall in each staffroom to share ideas, book recommendations, and useful links.

Some links which you might find helpful at home to learn more about autism and ASD are:

What is Autism?

Real life experiences and advice

Autism Awareness video clip for kids

If you would like to find out more please come and speak to one of the Inclusion Team.