What is World Autism Awareness Week?
World Autism Awareness Week is from 29 March to 4 April 2021. One in 100 people are autistic which means you probably have autistic colleagues at your workplace. Autistic people face huge barriers and discrimination in the workplace and society as a whole.
Take part in World Autism Awareness Week and help change this.
What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people communicate and interact with the world. One in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Autism is defined as a developmental disorder characterised by difficulties with communication and social interaction. There’s no such thing as a textbook case, and autism can express itself in a multitude of ways. However, often Autistic people:
- need more time to process questions, requests and instructions
- may struggle meeting new people
- may struggle to pick up on unwritten rules
- may find office environments overwhelming
- may struggle with small talk and workplace relationships
You can help autistic colleagues by:
- giving clear instructions and put important points in writing for clarification
- don’t rely on body language or facial expressions to communicate
- give anxious or agitated colleagues space and time to recover
- offer to be a buddy for workplace social events
Read more about Autism and World Autism Week:
- World Autism Awareness Week: 5 things everyone should know
- The Guardian view on autism awareness: recognising diverse talents – and needs
- Autism more common in children in England than previously thought – study
- Why Is Autism Still So Misunderstood?
