Wear Blue to Show Support for Autism Week.

This week is Autism Awareness Week at MRPS!  On Thursday this week (28 May) students will have the opportunity to WEAR BLUE and bring a gold coin to support this fundraiser and acknowledge Autism Awareness Week.

At our combined assembly on Monday members of the South West Autism Team (a group of our parents who have autistic children), shared their firsthand experience of what autism is and just how different the world appears to be from the viewpoint of an autistic child.

This is what they had to say:

“Today we recognise World Autism Awareness Day which was on April 2nd.   On this day the world acknowledges the struggles and triumphs that people with autism face.

Autism is a disorder that makes it hard for a person to deal with the world around them.  A sound like the school siren ringing, which may not bother most kids, may sound like nails scraping down a blackboard to a child with autism.  A tag in a T-shirt might feel like a terribly itchy jumper.  The sunlight outside might feel like a torch is being shone into their eyes.  Autism can be like walking around with your nails cut too short and your shoes on the wrong feet every single day.

People with autism may have a favourite ‘thing or object’ or a special interest topic that they know lots and lots about.  Sometimes a person with autism can have a hard time making friends and communicating their feelings when they are upset or overwhelmed.

There are many positive things about autism too.  People with autism add colour to an otherwise very black and white world.  Some of the smartest people in the world have autism and display amazing talents across all areas of life.

If you have a friend with autism, always remember that they are just like you and want to be accepted and have friends just like everyone else.  Autism makes a person different not less!”

They showed this video to give a visual insight into autism.

In their words:  Happy Autism Awareness Week!  Students are encouraged to wear blue and bring a gold coin on Thursday to support Autism Week.

Written by South West Autism Team; Photo and posted by D. Veary