World Autism Awareness Week

Autism is a lifelong disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. There are approximately 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.

 

Autistic people

• Have communication challenges, from not speaking to needing longer to process information
• Can experience intense anxiety in social situations
• Prefer routines and can engage in repetitive behaviour
• Have sensory issues with noise, light, smell and touch

 

Autistic strengths

• Intense focus and attention to detail
• Considered and reflective approach
• Honesty and integrity
• Creative thinking

 

How to help your autistic colleagues

• Give clear instructions and put important
• points in writing for clarification
• Don’t rely on body language or facial
• expressions to communicate
• Give anxious or agitated colleagues space
• and time to recover
• Offer to be a buddy for work social events

 

“With just a little more acceptance, understanding and a few simple adjustments, more autistic people would be able to enter the workforce and put their amazing talents to use.”
Chris Packham CBE, National Autistic Society Ambassador

Help create a society that works for autistic people
National Autistic Society