World Autism Awareness Day was declared by the United Nations in 2008. But what do Autistic people think about it? Do we appreciate autism acceptance month? Does it shine a light on our autistic gold? Or is it just another example of society trying to doing things for us, without listening to us?
World Autism Awareness Day
Please take part in Autistica’s campaign for World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April! We are asking people to #helpfindanswers on World Autism Awareness Day. They are asking as many people as possible to sign up to our Thunderclap to pledge their support and share our message. If we reach our target of 250 supporters by 1st of April, our message will be shared across social media.
Please could you sign up to our Thunderclap campaign and share via your social media channels? https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/54514-world-autism-awareness-day?locale=en
They are quite shy of their target so far, so anything you could do to promote would be much appreciated.
Raising Money for the National Autistic Society
As my regular readers will know my son (age eight and on the autism spectrum) attends what is referred to as a ResourceBase – a specialist autism unit within the mainstream school. You can find out more about this halfway house solution to autism education at a previous blog post by clicking here.
Support autism related causes is pretty standard for a school which supports children on the spectrum. But I have to say I was very impressed with what I saw today.
Tracey and Lidia who run the unit organised a cake decorating stall at today’s
Raising Money for the National Autistic Society
Eater fair. As well they were selling cupcakes in the colours of the National Autistic Society.
Given it was a Saturday and given how hard they work during the week I’d like to play tribute to both of them and their team of support workers for doing such a great job. And for helping promote World Autism Awareness Day.
As you can see I have share day few photos of the day.
Raising Money for the National Autistic Society
John explained to us on the train home that he had enjoyed the event but liked the ice cream and the animal petting area the best.
If you have a few coppers to spare why not make a donation to the National Autistic Society. You can find a link to their site by clicking here.
Alternatively if you have another autism related charity you think is worth supporting please feel free to share a link the comments section below.
X+Y a film about autism
As you know we are strong supporters of World Autism Day so we are delighted to share this guest post from Falkirk Community Trust.
“Falkirk Community Trust is excited to announce they will be taking part in, a nationwide programme of Autism Friendly screenings at cinemas across the country.
With support from autism support provider Dimensions and leading charity The National Autistic Society, these screenings will provide a further boost to UK’s growing cinema audience for people with autism.
Autism Friendly Screenings have reduced sound levels, increased lighting and advert-free content allowing this audience group, their families and carers to be comfortable and feel fully included in the unique experience of a trip to the cinema.
Over the last few years and following the success of last year’s campaign, an increasing number of UK cinema operators have begun programming regular autism friendly screenings for their local communities. World Autism Awareness Day provides cinemas with an ideal opportunity to celebrate that fact.
The Hippodrome already boasts a range of Autism Friendly screenings each season but for World Autism Day 2015 they will be screening their first autism friendly movie aimed at adults ‘X+Y’ which stars Asa Butterfield, the young star of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ – who plays the part of a socially awkward boy diagnosed with a form of autism and who finds he can make sense of the world through the rational, purity of maths.
World Autism Day
Thursday 2nd April
X+Y (12A)
Hippodrome
19.30
Other Autism Friendly Screenings
Saturday 28th March
Shaun the Sheep: The Movie
14:30
Sunday 5th April
Home
14:30
Sunday 10th May
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
14:30
Saturday 16th May
Avengers: Age of Ultron
14:30
Booking info: 01324 506850 or The Steeple Box Office, 118 High Street ”
If you have any plans for World Autism Day – please share in the comments section below!
Autism Awareness Month
As you may know 2nd April each year sees World Autism Awareness Day.
Throughout the globe the autism community comes together to raise both awareness and acceptance of autism, Asperger’s and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
So we thought it would be useful if we helped promote a new Facebook event entitled, unoriginally, World Autism Awareness Day. It would be great if you could join us here.
So why are we running this event rather than just providing you links to other peoples?
Well there are a few reasons.
Firstly we actually believe that the autism community should be doing our own stuff rather than being told what to do by governments and NGOs.
Secondly we think “small really is beautiful”. The little events all put together beat the massive PR lead stunts.
So what would we like you to do. Well obviously join the event and invite all your friends and family to do so as well!
Secondly we would love it if you used the comments section below to provide any information , pictures or links to stuff you are doing around the day.
So please help us spread the word.
And do remember that autism awareness does not end at the end of April. Every day should be World Autism Awareness Day .