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Autism Acceptance Month

April is both Stress Awareness Month and Autism Acceptance Month in the UK. It seems quite appropriate that the two events coincide, given the fact that anxiety and stress are common experiences for many young people with autism. This can be due to bullying and misunderstanding by other pupils, leading many young autistic people to mask their differences so as to be accepted. Masking or hiding of behaviours such as the need to stim (fidget) or pretending to be interested in the same things as their peers, can lead to chronic levels of stress or overwhelm. Furthermore, many autistic young people are very aware that there remain many outdated stereotypes about their condition, meaning that they do not feel safe to disclose to classmates and teachers what their sensory, social or intellectual needs are. 

This April, Bee Informed is offering schools the chance to not only educate pupils about the different ways autism can present itself, but to celebrate the types of amazing skills and talents that autistic people may have. For a long time, the condition has been through the lens of deficit rather than difference, and Bee Informed would instead love pupils to know about the many unique ways autistic people have contributed to the world, both past and present. Many autistic people are experts in their field, having a huge amount of knowledge about their special interests, they can be game-changing innovators and are hugely passionate about issues around social justice. This is not the story that people are often told about what autism is, so it would be wonderful to change the narrative and encourage the idea that neurodiversity in general is something that makes the world a much richer place! 

If your school would like to book an assembly on Identity and Difference, or a specific Autism Awareness assembly, please get in touch with Rachel at beeinformedrshe@gmail.com

For the summer term we can offer a 50% discounted rate on the cost of an assembly to help promote inclusion and kindness among all pupils regardless of their neurotype. 

By the way, did you know that bees themselves are pretty unique? They have 5 eyes, a sense of smell 50 times stronger than a dog, they are ultra hygienic and can fly higher than Everest! 

#AutismAcceptanceMonth