World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognised day taking place on 2nd April every year. In the week of 1 – 7 April surrounding this day, you can take part in World Autism Awareness Week – a full seven days where people across the UK take on activities to raise money and awareness for the National Autistic Society.
This will be the twelfth annual World Autism Awareness Day. Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world, light blue in recognition of people living with autism. Autism-friendly events and educational activities take place all month to increase understanding and acceptance and foster worldwide support.
Pioneered by the National Autistic Society (NAS), World Autism Awareness Week aims to draw attention to the 700,000 people living with autism in the UK – both to educate those unaware of the condition, and to help make the world friendlier to those who are affected by it.
Embracing and promoting work or school-based initiatives, as well as virtual events – including the chance to “run, swim, cycle or walk 7km during the week to raise money for the 700,000” – the NAS is looking for people to step up to the challenge and help them highlight this issue across the UK!
How can I get involved?
There’s plenty of ways to raise awareness of autism and fundraise during World Autism Awareness Week. Click on the links below to get your awareness and fundraising resources.
- Raise money at school. Download your free fundraising pack and raise money with your pupils.
- Free learning resources for school. We’ve got films, assemblies, tutor time and follow-up activities for teaching professionals across early years, primary school and secondary school.
- Chris Packham’s awareness poster for workplaces. Hang up our handy poster in your office or place of work. With the help of Chris Packham, we’ve compiled a few simple facts about autism, as well useful tips on how to support autistic colleagues.
- Chris Packham’s wildlife sweepstake poster – a quick and easy way to raise some funds with friends and work colleagues.
- Download your free fundraising pack and raise money your way. There’s lots of resources and fundraising ideas to help you along the way.
- Download your Anne Hegerty quiz. We have two different quizzes for you to try, one of which you can do with your children at school.
- Download your baking kit. Why not get baking for World Autism Awareness Week? We’ve got a Spectrum cake recipe from our President, Jane Asher, for you baking buffs.
Find out more here: https://bit.ly/2yklUpw
