It is Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Autism Awareness Day is a chance to raise awareness about autism and to make a difference to the lives of autistic people. There are lots of ways that you can get involved in Autism Awareness Day. The National Autistic Society has a free guide filled with great suggestions as to how you can get involved and raise awareness on World Autism Day. The United Nations is also raising awareness of World Autism Day by their ‘Light It Up Blue’ Campaign. On the 2 April thousands of iconic landmarks, skyscrapers, schools, businesses and homes all over the globe unite by shining bright blue lights to raise awareness of autism. Find out how to get involved in the Light It Up Blue campaign at the link.

What is Autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.

Autism is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.

To find out more about Autism and to get involved in World Autism Awareness Day follow the links below:

• Kent Autistic Trust: www.kentautistic.com
• National Autistic Society : www.autism.org.uk

For the free guide on how you can get involved in Autism Awareness Day go to: www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/world-autism-awareness-week/pack-download.aspx

If you are thinking of Lighting It Blue for Autism the Autism Speaks website has lots of ideas and resources that can help:

• Ideas of how to ‘Light It Blue’: www.autismspeaks.org/liub/how-to-liub
• Light It Blue resources: www.autismspeaks.org/liub/resources