April is World Autism Awareness Month

Autism Awareness Month

Autistic people all have different strengths and abilities and challenges which affect their lives in different ways at different ages and in different environments.

Please join Access4Success Disability Service in celebration and appreciation of the many benefits neurodiverse people bring to our society.

This year’s Autism Awareness Month theme is Inclusive Education. Inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, as the foundation for improving people’s lives and reducing inequalities.

Associated Colour: Blue

Wednesday 13 April is ‘Hoods Up” – wear a hoodie day.

Wear a Hoodie to Unitec to help raise awareness of autistic sensory stimuli. Alternatively, wear an item of blue clothing.

The Hoodie is considered a ‘tool’ for autistic people as it assists them to feel more comfortable and help them to ‘fit’ into the world surrounding them. Hoodies ‘tick the box’ as the soft fabrics are more comfortable to wear for people who are sensitive to textures and touch.

Often, wearing your hood up is considered rude or threatening, but for someone with Autism this is a strategy to enable them to cope with sensory input that can be overwhelming.

Other events/resources

• Virtual art exhibition: Friday 22 April: If you are interested in art, please visit the Virtual Art gallery where works from Autistic artists will be exhibited. Visit the Autism New Zealand Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AutismNewZealand
• Book: I am Autistic. This newly released book was written and illustrated by Author, Chanelle Moriah. Purchase on Aotearoa Books
• Autism New Zealand website has a wealth of information, resources and advice.
• One News article: Work still needed to challenge stigmas around autism
• If you would like to donate to Autism NZ, please visit the Donorbox page

What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people perceive the world, how they think and behave, and how they communicate and interact with others. Put simply, autistic people see, hear, and feel the world differently to neurotypical people. In Aotearoa, this affects 1 in 100 people.

As well as problems with social communication and interaction, people with ASD often display restricted or repetitive behaviours or interests.  ASD affects how individuals manage stimuli such as sights, sounds, and changes within their environment. The behaviours you might observe are not symptoms of Autism, rather they are necessary tools to navigate everyday barriers created by our environment.

The new infinity butterfly symbol for Autism inspires thoughts of change and symbolises the beauty of diversity and development.

The jigsaw puzzle is seen as the complexity of the way people with Autism view the world as a mystery