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Gloucestershire's Neurodivergence Celebration Week 2024
Tuesday 19 March: Autism
This year, Gloucestershire is taking part in Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18 – 24 March 2024), a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.
During the week, we’ll aim to raise awareness by signposting to resources, updating you on activities across Gloucestershire, as well as celebrating the differences of local neurodivergent individuals. We've rebranded the week to 'neurodivergence celebration week' to keep the focus on neurodivergent conditions. All content has been coproduced by local neurodivergent people.
Today’s theme is all about Autism!
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National Campaign - Today's Resources |
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What’s going on today? Interactive Online Events are happening at the times below:
8.00 – 8.45: Neurodiversity At Work: Ask the Experts
9.30 – 11.00: Culture, Community and Class in Neurodiversity: Who Gets Left Behind?
12:00 – 13:30: The Benefits of Neurodiversity in the Workplace
14:30 – 16:00: Creating a Neuro-inclusive classroom
16:30 – 18:00: Neurodiversity: Fuelling Creative Minds
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What is Autism?
Autism is a processing difference that can have an impact on many areas of a person’s life. Autism is lifelong; people are born autistic and autism can be identified at any point in life.
Autistic people describe themselves and autism in different ways, so it is always best to ask the individual themselves what their preference is.
There are many different labels used when talking about an autism diagnosis; some are no longer used, and some are new. Some autistic people may have been diagnosed with: Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Condition or Disorder, Pathological Demand Avoidance, Atypical Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder or High Functioning Autism.
Talking positively about autism:
- Avoid using terms like ‘suffer’ or ‘disease’. Autism is not a mental health condition or a disease; it is a different way of experiencing and processing the world.
- Avoid using ‘high functioning’ or ‘low functioning’.
- Avoid assuming what someone might be like because they are autistic “When you meet one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism”. Everyone has their unique differences.
For more useful information, including meltdowns, shutdowns and masking, click here.
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National Resources
Local Resources
Strategy
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Did you know we have an all-age local Autism Strategy? It sets out our local goals, ambitions, and creative vision for how Gloucestershire can support and enhance the lives of autistic people in our county, which you can read here. |
Partnership Board
We also have an Autism Partnership Board, ('the Board') which works together to ensure that all autistic people in Gloucestershire, their families and carers have the best life they can. The Board oversees the implementation and delivery of the local Autism strategy.
Board members are expected to raise awareness and understanding of issues affecting autistic people, as well as championing the strategy.
Whilst the Board's primary focus is Autism, it also welcomes and explores other neurodiverse experiences, and champions accessibility for all neurodivergent people.
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What's happening in Gloucestershire? |
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Local Initiatives
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Watch the series of videos on preparing for adulthood for autistic young people. Topics include:
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The Autism Central Hubs offer guidance to families, carers and personal assistants of autistic people. All of the sessions are run by Peer Educators. These are parents or carers of autistic people, who are happy to share their knowledge and experiences. They can offer group and one-to-one sessions to help you and other parents and carers find the information and services available in your area. Hubs may also run events such as workshops, drop-in sessions, coffee mornings or virtual meet-ups. Bristol Autism Support are Gloucestershire's Regional Hub provider in the South West.
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Life in the MiND is a multimedia project dedicated to validating the reality of neurodivergent life through personal experience. A small team of neurodivergent folk sharing their experiences and the experiences of others. Watch and/or listen to the Life In The MiND podcasts here.
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CASA is for all autistic adults in Gloucestershire, and their families, friends, and support networks. They have drop ins across the county. The Cheltenham Drop in Attendees tell us a little bit about themselves and their thoughts on diagnosis and the drop ins. With thanks to Bev, Gabby, Lisa and Rob for taking part and giving us their time.
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Inclusion Gloucestershire will be hosting a ‘Your Autistic Voice Matters’ event which will be run by Autistic people and is for Autistic people.
- Are you a newly diagnosed Autistic person?
- Are you self-diagnosed or waiting for a diagnosis?
- Have you had a diagnosis for a while?
- Do you find it hard to get what you need from health and social care services?
- Do you want to feel part of a welcoming and supportive community.
Join the Your Voice Neurodiverse Network for an online conference to find out about your rights in health and social care and how to speak up for them.
The group will also dispel myths about autism and celebrate what brings autistic people joy without judgement or censorship. Other neurodiverse people are welcome too!
Date: Wednesday, 27th March
Time: 10.30 to 3.00
Venue: Virtual – via Microsoft Teams
Booking link: Your Autistic Voice Matters | NHS England Events
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Local quotes from autistic people and/or their family members
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“Without being autistic I wouldn’t be me.. I wouldn’t have such a breadth of skills and niche knowledge. I wouldn’t be able to see the world from a different perspective where I can see things no one else around me can. Being autistic almost certainly comes with a whole host of challenges within day-to-day life, but if I wasn’t autistic, I wouldn’t be who I am and that’s so important to remember”.
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“Knowing I am autistic didn’t make me feel like I was different and strange. It didn’t feel like a label was being put on me. I knew I wasn’t just being strange and weird - I found myself and who I am.”
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“I don’t think people fully grasp autism, but it isn’t a barrier to them being my friend. I try to educate people.” |
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Gloucestershire Neurodivergent Experiences |
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If you want to receive the Autism in Gloucestershire newsletter directly to your email address click here and you will be able to sign up to receive these updates.
Got something to share or want more information? Email: neurodiversity@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
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