Celebrating autism for World Autism Awareness Week

31 March 2021

This week is World Autism Awareness Week, organised by the National Autistic Society, whose vision is to transform lives and change attitudes to help create a society that works for autistic people.

The British Medical Association estimate that around 700,000 people in the UK have a diagnosis of autism, with one in 100 children also diagnosed with the condition. 

The Cheshire East Autism Team or CEAT are a small school-focused team of teaching and support staff who provide specialist support for children in years 1 to 13 attending Cheshire East schools.

Joan Sherry, CEAT team manager tells us: “We live in a time where there is an emerging recognition that when we move from simply recognising that diversity and difference exists within the human condition, to a position where we understand and embrace it, the result is that we enrich society as a whole. 

“This has never been more true than currently in the world of autistic spectrum condition. The change in language and terminology from ‘disorder’ to ‘condition’, from ‘deficit’ to ‘difference’ is not just a matter of semantics or pedantry, but reflects a deepening understanding of what it means to be autistic, for the person themselves and also for their families and the wider community.

This year, therefore, we at CEAT decided to use Autism Awareness Week as an opportunity to celebrate autism. We have made a short video to share with you which we hope does just that.”

For more information and support round autism visit Local Offer