By Beds SU
Saturday, 2 April 2022
Today marks the 15th annual World Autism Awareness Day as observed by the United Nations. This year’s theme is inclusive education, acknowledging that the pandemic has greatly disrupted education across the globe, disproportionately affecting students with autism who will have been affected by disruption to routines, as well as services and support that they rely upon.
What is Autism?
The National Autistic Society explain “Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. 1 in 100 people are on the autistic spectrum, and the there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.”
Autism can manifest itself in many ways and to varying degrees:
- Social communication and social interaction challenges
- Repetitive and restrictive behaviour
- Over- or under-sensitivity to light, sound, taste or touch
- Highly focused interests or hobbies
- Extreme anxiety
- Meltdown and shutdowns
You’ll see that some of these manifestations can also be strengths, such as being highly focused making some people with autism experts in their special interests. One recent, well-known example is Greta Thunberg and her intense interest in protecting the environment. People with autism often do well academically and in the workplace, and with 1 in 100 people being on the spectrum, you have almost certainly met someone with autism at the University.
Find out more and take part
If you would like to find out more about Autism, the National Autistic Society recommends this free online course, Understanding Autism, developed by the Open University. The course rewards you not only with a deeper understanding of the autistic spectrum, but you can also claim a statement of participation and digital badge upon completion: great ways to demonstrate that you are dedicated to continuing professional development and keen to extend your understanding of those with different needs in society.
You can also join the United Nations’ virtual event Inclusive Education for All, at 3pm (BST) on Friday 8 April 2022. Including inputs from around the world on inclusion at all levels of education and a panel discussion on inclusive education, register now to be part of the global audience.
How Beds SU seek to support individuals with Autism
As an invisible condition, autism often goes unnoticed and students with autism can be misunderstood. Beds SU was proud to not only adopt the Sunflower Scheme themselves in 2020 but also successfully lobby the University to adopt the Sunflower Scheme last year.
The Sunflower Scheme seeks to make the invisible visible by encouraging people with hidden disabilities to wear a sunflower symbol – normally a lanyard or wristband – as a subtle way of informing others that they have a hidden disability.
Students and staff with autism may benefit from wearing a sunflower lanyard as it indicates to others that they may require a little more time or understanding. For example, someone with autism may take a little extra time to process information or answer questions, or need some time out when overloaded by other people.
Read more about the Sunflower Scheme and where you can collect a free lanyard here.
Beds SU values neurodiversity and would love to hear more from our neurodiverse members: join our Students with Disabilities Network to hear more about our work, opportunities to come together to create change or simply to make friends.