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I feel really passionately about everyone having the right to be understood and accepted in this world of constant comparisons and pressure to conform to society’s expectations. We are all unique and have our own personal strengths and struggles, and life can be hard for children and families even at the best of times so it’s really tough for those who have extra obstacles along their way…

Autism awareness is so important in order for us to really understand others and accept them for all their individual ways and unique skills and interests. There are so many children, parents and adults who are confused, anxious and worried  because they have never been diagnosed or understood. By recognising autism, we can then begin to recognise what we can do to communicate effectively with those affected by it. 

Autism doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Just because you know one person with autism, that doesn’t mean you know all about autism. You know about that person and what their personality is like. Sure there may be certain traits that are ‘typical’ to those with autism but it doesn’t define who they are, it’s just a part of who they are. By understanding what it must be like inside the world of someone with autism, we can begin to find ways to help and support them to reduce any anxiety and negativity.

I have a nephew wonderful nephew called Ollie. He has autism and that makes him so cool and interesting. We wouldn’t change it at all… That would be like taking away a part of his personality.

Ollie has a great network of people  around him who support and accept him for exactly who he is, which is why he copes so well despite all the changes that he’s faced in his life. His special interest in numbers is celebrated and encouraged and even used as a way to help him to make sense of things. He loves his family but also likes time alone. That’s ok, he’s not forced into situations just because others want him to be. But he has really emotions and bonds with special people to him, despite the common belief that people with autism don’t form relationships - they really do, they just won’t waste their time making small talk with people who they have no interest in (who wouldn’t want to be more like that, hey?) 

Sadly, I’ve come across many children and families who don’t adapt to the diagnosis so well, or perhaps they never even get a diagnosis. This isn’t because of ‘bad’ parents or because the child has been ‘failed’ by professionals. It can take years to fully assess and support an individual in the way that they need. But during that time, a lot can happen to shape their view on the world, on others and more importantly, on themselves. 

So I want to encourage as many people as possible to do one simple thing: be nice. You never know what another person is going through so don’t judge or make assumptions. If you see a child ‘kicking off’ or ‘having a meltdown’ in public, don’t look at them in a disapproving manner. Instead of seeing the behaviour, look at the emotion behind it, it’s communication. Imagine how you would feel if you were in a situation that was overwhelming you and causing serious anxiety and the desire to get out of there as fast as possible, and everyone you looked towards just made you feel like you were wrong to feel that way….

Accept and embrace all differences and characteristics and if you’re a parent of a child with autism, don’t worry about what anyone else thinks accept for your child. Let them be exactly who they want to be in this world full of people who feel under pressure to ‘fit in.’

I will be walking along the Jurassic coast with my sister Jo, Ollie’s amazing mom. We will be doing this as part of the National Autistic Society  team on Sunday 4th July. Your support would be so appreciated and would all contribute towards a better future for those with autism. 

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