This week marks the first ever Schools’ Autism Awareness Week, which aims to encourage schools to educate students about the behaviours and characteristics of autism.
The National Autistic Society, which promotes awareness weeks in schools across the UK, has estimated at least one in 100 people are affected by the condition.
The charity has produced learning material for children in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to coincide with the event.
Now children from nursery to school leavers are expected to take part in specially-tailored events throughout the next few days.
The NAS website says: “We know that indifference, intolerance and hostility towards autistic people and their families leads to extreme social isolation, mental illness and profoundly unhappy lives. But, we also know that helping young people – as well as teachers – to understand autism as they grow up will equip a new generation with the knowledge to accept and empathise with autistic people.”
Nick Hodge, professor at the Autism Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, said: “It’s important to ensure that other pupils understand why some peers don’t always engage with them in the ways that they expect, how they can expand their own range of interactions to make connections and why it is worth the effort.
“Pupils with autism want and require the same as all pupils: to be free from bullying and harassment, and to be known, understood, welcomed and valued as individuals.
“Like all pupils they want to attend lessons that are meaningful and motivating, and have learning and behavioural targets that are challenging but achievable.
“They want to be taught in environments that are physically comfortable without painful or oppressive sensory stimuli, so they can concentrate on learning without feeling overwhelmed by intrusions such as painful lighting or other bodies crowding in on them.”
Early next month, from Saturday 2 April to Friday 8 April, is the second World Autism Awareness Week. It aims to raise awareness of autism as well as encourage people to fundraise for the National Autistic Society. Last year’s week raised more than £230,000 to help people with autism and their families.