On Thursday 29^th April TDS will be participating in World Autism Awareness Week to help raise money for The National Autistic Society. The NAS provide information, support, schooling, services and campaign to make a better world for people with autism.

TDS have decided to support the NAS as a few of our colleagues have family members and/or friends with autism who have been helped and support by the NAS for many years. Many people have heard of Autism or Asperger syndrome but do not understand the day to day support than can often be needed.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.

Autism, including Asperger syndrome, is much more common than most people think. There are around 700,000 autistic people in the UK – that's more than 1 in 100. People with Asperger syndrome come from all nationalities and cultural backgrounds, although it appears to affect more men than women.   People with autism have difficulty interpreting both verbal and non-verbal communication with many having a literal understanding of language and believe people mean exactly what
they say. It is common for people with autism to have sensory sensitivity which can cause anxiety and even physical pain.

There is no 'cure' for Autism or Asperger syndrome. However, there is a range of strategies and approaches which people may find to be helpful.

To fundraise, TDS colleagues will be having a ‘pink and purple dress down day’, selling NAS merchandise, a sweepstake, a pink and purple cake sale and offering a virtual reality experience to help colleagues understand what someone with autism might experience on a day to day basis.