Words by Smiley Team
This week marks the start of World Autism Awareness Month and organisations around the world are rallying to support autistic people for whom this global crisis presents unique problems.
Ambitious about Autism is a national charity for autistic children and young people who work to make the ordinary possible autistic children and young people. Each autistic person is different and has different needs, but share difficulties in things like communication and sensory processing. Many autistic people struggle to find community, are more likely to be isolated and need routines that do not change in order to thrive; Coronavirus, however, has thrown many autistic people into disarray, leaving them distressed, uncertain and needing more support than ever.
Sarah, who works as part of the charity’s Participation Team helps to ensure the views and voices of autistic people are heard by decision-makers. Their motto is based on the disability rights motto of ‘nothing about us without us’.
Like many charities, they have had to adapt rapidly to the pandemic and now offer a community space online twice a week, operating twice each day. The space allows young people to be involved in campaigning as well as a triage for mental health during uncertain and challenging times. Rules and guidance were established to make the space as accessible as possible - ‘ Some use full video and speech, some just use speech or just video, some use the written chat option and people can take part as much as they want. This means some people are happy to just listen and some take part by sharing their ideas and supporting others.’
As a result of this shift towards creating digital spaces, the charity has been able to reach out to both those autistic young people they know well as well as supporting newer people. ‘We’ve been able to create an environment focused just on autistic people and their needs during this crisis’ says Sarah.
As well as the digital space, the team have created a system through learning what the young people wanted and now offer a ‘Special Interest Soapbox’, where autistic people can share their special interests and have planned to create an ‘Autistic book club’ as well as create resources for healthcare professionals from an autistic perspective.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. One young person said, “this is the first time I’ve been able to listen to or speak to other autistic people like me.” Sarah says that ‘Our video chats and schedules check-ins have helped to rebuild some routine and our individualised support has helped to develop a bit more stability.”.
Unfortunately, although there is an increase in demand for support front the charity, the pandemic has resulted in many fundraising events being cancelled. They have launched a Coronavirus Crisis Appeal to help continue to support their Youth Network and the families they support at this current time.
“If others want to help autistic people at this time I would definitely encourage them to do so. Reaching out to neurodivergent people and those with mental ill-health at this time is so important as many people have lost vital support systems and have increased need for support in daily living and with their mental health.
‘If you feel you can support our work at this time by making a donation, your support could be life-changing. Visit our website www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk to find out more.’
By Ellen Jones
