The National Autistic Society are spreading awareness this year in Autism Awareness Week (March 29th) and funds to support their society. This charity are the UK's leading charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families. They have been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people since 1962. This charity helps shape and mould the world i live in. 

My name is Scarlett, I am 6 Years old, and this year I want to take part in the ‘Super 7 Challenge’. My Autism is a long life disability that effects my social interaction, emotional behaviours and communication skills. I find it hard to communicate and interact with other people, to understand how other people think or feel and to understand and express how I feel. I can get stressed and anxious when I don’t know whats expected of me. I become uncomfortable or upset in unfamiliar situations. I take longer to understand information and process it slower than most. I need structure and routine to cope with day-to-day life and I like to do the same things over and over because they are familiar. School picked up on my disability at just 4 Years old (in reception), and during my journey to my diagnosis I saw many professionals: Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Psychologists and Autism Outreach Care Team. I was officially diagnosed in October 2019. 

I am very lucky that I have an amazing school who support all my needs. I am in a mainstream school, with Enhanced Support Care from Autism Outreach Team, a 1:1 support worker which enables me to stay focused and on track with my work, a sensory diet in place to enable me to cope during the day and a EHCP to ensure things are always available to me. I love school and I am now producing work that is of a high standard, passing phonics tests, reading and writing well, and even challenging myself by doing some Year 4 Maths! 

I have set myself 7 small Challenges to complete in Autism Awareness Week for the Super 7 Challenge for NAS this year. I hope my family and friends will support me in this challenge which is a big thing for an Autistic Person to do. 

Thankyou, Love Scarlett xx