World Autism Acceptance Week (WAAW) is an opportunity for early years settings to celebrate diversity and support children. It’s not just about raising awareness but also about promoting acceptance and understanding of people who are neurodiverse. There are about 730,000 people with autism in the UK, many who contribute greatly to our society and this should be recognised and celebrated. However, there are also many barriers still to erase if we are to create opportunities for everyone. World Autism Acceptance Week is an annual event which aims to do just that. It is based around Autism Acceptance Day on the 2nd of April each year. In 2025, the National Autistic Society is expanding its campaign to the entire month of April in 2025.
What Is Autism?
Autism is a spectrum condition that affects people in different ways. There’s an old adage that says, “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met ONE person with autism.” This means that it is likely to result in different strengths and weaknesses which will never be the same in two people. However, there are a range of traits that autistic people may display such as:
- Sensory issues
- Social and communication challenges
- Mild to severe anxiety
- Intense interest in a hobby or topic
- Repetitive or restrictive behaviours
- Meltdowns and shutdowns
These are just a few issues that autistic people may face daily. However, something that is often more challenging is the attitude that other people have towards them, which can be prejudiced, misinformed and sometimes just plain abusive.
Statistics About Autism
In the UK, approximately 1 in 100 people (730,000) have autism although prevalence varies by age, gender, and ethnicity. Rates are higher in males compared to females. These statistics highlight the importance of continued support and resources for individuals with autism and their families. As early years practitioners, we have a unique role in building and shaping inclusive environments for our young children which can help influence their values and beliefs in later years.
Practical And Impactful To help And Get Involved
- Educate staff/families
When people learn about autism, they begin to see things through the eyes of others. They become more aware of the difficulties they face and the problems this brings; even getting on a bus can be too much for some. Running awareness workshops is one way to broaden the knowledge of your staff/families about autism. Why not invite a local autism support group to help you run a session to dispel some myths, present the facts, and share practical strategies on how to support young children?
- Ensure all activities and play are inclusive
Plan activities that promote inclusion and cater to diverse needs. Sensory play is particularly beneficial for children with autism but if you’ve been reading the articles from Dr Joanna Grace in the Parenta magazine, you will know that she advocates for a full commitment to what she calls ‘SENSORY’ rather than ‘sensory’ activities. Make sure that activities are structured yet flexible, allowing children to engage at their own pace, and train your staff on how to best support autistic children at all times.
- Celebrate differences
WAAW is a perfect time to celebrate our differences whilst understanding that there is so much more that make us similar. It’s like looking at a mosaic; if we are all the same colour tiles, then the picture we make is boring. But add in different colours, shades and textures to the mosaics and you can create a masterpiece! Celebrate the uniqueness of every child in your setting. Find out what they do best and celebrate that. It could be art, music, science or storytelling so highlight these strengths and encourage children to celebrate diversity in all its splendour. You could even make your own mosaic using individually painted tiles!
- Friendly environments
Many people with autism struggle with crowds, loud noise and overstimulation so look around your environment and see if you can adapt it to be more friendly. This includes having quiet spaces where children can retreat if they feel overwhelmed, visual schedules and clear signage to help children understand their daily routines.
- Offer support to families
Living with people who have autism can be great fun, but it can also bring many challenges that can be difficult at times. Parents and carers often struggle to get diagnoses for their children which can be distressing. Even with a diagnosis, there is no guarantee that there will always be the right support they need from schools and other establishments. Offer support to parents and carers of children with autism by organising a coffee morning or a friendly support group where they can share experiences and gain advice from professionals and other parents. At the very least, you could signpost them to local services and support networks.
- Involve your local community
Engage with your wider local community to raise awareness and promote acceptance. Invite guest speakers, such as individuals with autism or representatives from organisations to your setting to share their experiences. Look out for local and national events organised by charities as part of WAAW. There are charity walks and sponsored events around the country to raise money for charities too. Use WAAW banners on your social media channels and use the hashtags #WorldAutismAcceptanceWeek and #AutismAwareness to show solidary with the campaign.
- Promote positive stories
Incorporate stories and books about autism into your storytime. Choose age-appropriate books that portray characters with autism in a positive light. Talk to the children about what autism is, how everyone’s brains work differently and that is what makes us human and the world and interesting place. See https://www.autism.org.uk/ for some free resources including lesson plans, parent packs and videos.
- Celebrate Autism Acceptance Day
This Day is the 2nd of April, so why not allocate this as a day to wear something blue or even multicoloured. Blue is the traditional colour ribbons as it represents serenity and calmness. However, rainbow colours and primary colours are also used in the National Autistic Society logo. You could make or decorate cakes in different colours, create a handprint wall mural, or even create some colourful bunting to decorate your setting.
