Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviour. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize and how this occurs is not well understood. Scientists have been researching for many years but there is no cure for autism and that’s okay!
In 2007 a day called World Autism awareness Day was created and is now celebrated on April the 2nd every year. It is a day to celebrate the resilience of those affected by the disorder and supports causes that promote awareness of it and over the years the increase in autism awareness within our nation and our world has grown significantly. However, people on the autism spectrum are still misunderstood by many.
Although, people with autism are sometimes treated differently and deemed ‘not able’, this is completely wrong and unfair. Autism isn’t a disease, and it definitely isn’t a disadvantage, people with autism are the same as anyone else and it doesn’t stop them achieving anything because like everyone, autistic people have things they’re good at as well as things they struggle with. Yes, it can occasionally be more of a challenge with certain tasks, but they might just need a little extra help sometimes, like everyone.
Learning more about autism is sometimes hard because you’re unsure what information is factual and what isn’t, this is because you don’t want to get anything wrong. By wanting to learn more and educate yourself, that is the first step to support those affected by the disorder and also better your knowledge. For instance, the reason that autism is represented by puzzle pieces is to show the complexity of the autistic spectrum. However, the use of the puzzle piece symbol for autism has been a topic of controversy for some people in the autism community. Some people don’t like the puzzle piece symbol for autism because they feel it represents a negative and outdated view of autism as a puzzling and mysterious condition that needs to be solved or fixed. They advocate for alternative symbols, such as the infinity symbol, which represent the diversity and infinite possibilities of the autism spectrum.
Steadfast Training are offering a FULLY FUNDED Level 2 Introduction to Autism Spectrum course for those working in the care sector in Norfolk & Suffolk. Our course will enable learners to gain knowledge of what autistic spectrum conditions are and how they can affect individuals. This is a chance to be able to finally understand with correct information what autism is and from there you could know how to support those with autism on world autism awareness day and every other.
For more information on our Developing Skills in Health & Social Care courses for those based in Norfolk & Suffolk email dshsc@steadfasttraining.co.uk