World Autism Acceptance Week

World Autism Acceptance Week is back from 27 March – 2 April 2023!

The theme for 2023 is colour.

The National Autistic Society are doing lots for the campaign to raise awareness, fund research, and make sure Autism Acceptance Week succeeds with flying colours.

Find out more about their virtual challenge, the Spectrum Colour Challenge; a new in-person event, the Spectrum Colour Walks; and lots of ideas to get your fundraising off to a colourful start.

World Autism Acceptance Week 2023

What about here?

Did you know that we have a whole suite of books stocked at local libraries about autism?

There are books for parents and carers written by professionals as well as insightful and thought provoking literature written by people with autism. Get a first-hand look at their unique experience of the world.

Visit your local library and see the list of SEND books.

You will also find more autism stories on our ‘Celebrating SEND page’.

Read more autism stories on the Local Offer- NELC SEND Local Offer | Celebrating SEND- local stories (nelincs.gov.uk)

Tomos is a local teenager with autism who has written for the Young Reporters, presented and won awards at the 2022 SEND Awards, and wants to be an ambassador for SEND.

He has big ideas about changing the culture of SEND to show others that people with autism are smart, articulate, creative individuals with diversity, talent, and aspirations that can challenge stereotypes far and wide.

Tomos said: “I was diagnosed with it. Born with it. And I live with it for every single day that I could think of. Some people would rather call autism a disability – I don’t. In my own words, I would rather call autism like a special gift.”
Tomos

Have you heard about the Autism in Schools Project?

It’s a great project that brings together professionals with parents and carers and children and young people.

As well us upskilling professionals, and raising the profile of SEND they have chosen training like the Sensory Processing Workshop.

It’s free for you so why not sign up today? NELC SEND Local Offer | Free Understanding Sensory Processing workshop (nelincs.gov.uk)

Listen to some of the audio clips from local parent carers, and professionals involved in the project. NELC SEND Local Offer | Autism in Schools (nelincs.gov.uk)