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Gloucestershire's Neurodivergence Celebration Week 2024
Thursday 21 March: Children & Families
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 Children & Families!
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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 Expert
9.30 – 11.00: Neurodiversity for HR Professionals
12:00 – 13:30: Late Discovered Autism & Menopause
14:30 – 16:00: Empowering Yourself as a Neurodivergent Woman in the Workplace
16:30 – 18:00: Neurodiversity for Parents & Carers
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National
Local
Gloucestershire parents and carers who may be considering accessing an autism or ADHD assessment for their child can now access a new website which offers guidance and recommended resources.
The website aims to provide a valuable information for families at the point when differences are first identified, offering advice, guidance and strategies to parents and carers.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinators (SENDCos) have worked together with parents, carers and NHS colleagues to develop the website for Gloucestershire. The website is also designed give those considering an assessment a greater understanding of the process that takes place and how they can approach this conversation with professionals.
Dr Victoria Thurston, Clinical Psychologist and Lead for the Social Communication and Autism Assessment Service (SCAAS) and CAMHS Neuro in Gloucestershire, said the website is a trusted resource, designed to support parents and carers.
She said: “We know it can be confusing and sometimes worrying if you spot differences in your child, there is a lot of information out there but not all of it is clinically safe or helpful.
“We hope this site will help parents and carers develop skills that can shape the way they communicate with their child and understand more about how to support their child at the earliest opportunity.”
Dr Mala Uhbi, Clinical Lead for Digital and Neurodiversity at NHS Gloucestershire said: “It is important to remember that your child doesn’t need a diagnosis of autism or ADHD to get support. We hope our new site can provide the reassurance and information parents need to make informed decisions about/for their children.”
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Watch the series of videos for young people. Topics include:
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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 all the Life In The MiND podcasts here.
For today's theme, listen to Life in the MiND Podcast - Episode 6 - The Neurodivergent Parent
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What's happening in Gloucestershire? |
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Local Initiatives
Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum is a voice for those with lived experience of being a Parent Carer. This means parents and/or carers of children with any disability, including neurodivergent conditions. They offer social meet ups, free training and the opportunity to give your views and ideas to help improve local services for disabled children and their families.
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Gloucestershire Carers Hub supports unpaid adult Carers throughout the county. They offer advice, information and support to you to enable you to think about your needs whilst offering support to someone else. |
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Gloucestershire Young Carers is a charity working with - and for - young people who take on a caring role for a family member. They provide young carers with advice, advocacy, group support, short breaks, and safe spaces to share.
Read Josh's story, and listen to Emily's story - who both care for a neurodivergent sibling.
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Young Gloucestershire is a countywide charity that supports young people who are facing challenges in their lives. They work together with young people to help them figure out what it is they want, what’s holding them back and how they can move forward.
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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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Celebrating our Neurodivergence – Gloucestershire's young people
We have gathered quotes from children, young people and their families celebrating their neurodiversity. Some of which we shared earlier this week.
Children and Young People:
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“Well done” and “I am proud of you” are the words which bring out the biggest smile!!”
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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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“I am like everyone else - using your humour when with me is a good stress release for me. I feel more relaxed and ‘me’ when teachers are more easy going and light-hearted than being always serious. If some of my teachers bantered around with me and my peers more - I would feel more comfy and get more out of my learning”
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“It means my brain works differently to everybody else, but not in a bad way. For me I feel like it’s both a blessing and a curse. It helps me see things in more detail but there’s challenges with it.”
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“We have different skills; neurodiversity makes me very special.”
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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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“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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Parents, Carers and Families:
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“He is so much more than his autism label – he has such an astute understanding of the emotional needs of others – he worries and cares more about others than he does himself - he just doesn’t show it openly”
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“Hugs in our house are like Xmas presents – they don’t come around too often but when they do – they are absolutely amazing!!”
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“It is important for him to feel heard loud and clear – he can open up and trust others but it takes an investment of consistent time and energy – he feels so invisible at school as no one has taken the time to know him”
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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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