World Autism Awareness Day – The NEN

Autism Initiatives strides into seventh year of Walk for Autism challenge

Registrations open this month, inviting all ages and abilities to step up to the huge fundraising challenge

Autism Initiatives hopes Walk for Autism 2024 will be another fantastic year of fundraising for autism projects across the UK and Ireland.

The annual campaign invites participants from up and down the country to walk 10,000 steps a day, wherever they choose. Walk for Autism takes place across eight days, setting off on March 26 and finishing on World Autism Awareness Day, April 2.

In 2023, the campaign saw over 5000 walkers step up to the Walk for Autism challenge. Together, they raised £480,000 and totalled 160,000,000 steps.

The total raised each year helps to fund a variety of autism projects across the charity’s services, including locations in Scotland.

Thanks to previous fundraising efforts, the organisation has also been able to provide support from specialist staff, who are dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of autistic people through increased social opportunities, physical movement and lifestyle changes.

This year’s challenge also invites participants to follow the fun on TikTok and enjoy supportive tips while on the go.

The team behind Walk for Autism are delighted that Liverpool-born actor Simon Lennon, known for his roles in Bridgerton and Emmerdale, will be showing his support for the campaign for another year, encouraging more walkers to count their steps this spring.

Walk for Autism Fundraising Manager, Liz Oakley said: ‘Our aim is to get everybody in the UK and Ireland walking and talking about autism.

“Walk for Autism is a really special event and we have a wonderful online community too, where participants can share fundraising tips and post that all important t-shirt selfie!

“As part of the campaign, we send everyone who takes part a Walk for Autism t-shirt when their fundraising page hits £20, or €20 if they are walking in Ireland. We are looking forward to making Walk for Autism 2024 the best year ever!’

Walkers taking part are encouraged to complete their steps at their own pace and in their own way. Some participants prefer outdoor strolls in the sunshine, while others keep up with their steps on the treadmill.

Walk for Autism is a campaign led by Liverpool-based charity Autism Initiatives Group, an organisation that has worked to improve the lives of autistic people for the last 50 years.

Now a national charity across the UK and Ireland, the organisation was founded by a local mother, Pat Minshull, who was dedicated to finding the right support for her son. Today, the charity continues Pat’s legacy, working in partnership with autistic people and their families.

Registrations open for Walk for Autism 2024 on 22 January.

You can get involved here.

Waadstock 2017

Thursday 6 April

WAADSTOCK 2017

Please see above the poster for WAADSTOCK 2017, a music event celebrating the talents of musicians and singers on the Autism Spectrum.

This year’s event is on THURSDAY 6^TH APRIL at 7.30pm at THE CAV nightclub, WEST TOLLCROSS, EDINBURGH.

ENTRY IS FREE (ALL DONATIONS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE PERFORMERS) BUT THE EVENT IS STRICTLY OVER 18S ONLY.

The event has a facebook page ‘waadstock’ where people can confirm their attendance and view photos from last year’s event.

If you have any queries please contact. Michael Hannam, 07718423400

LIGHT IT UP BLUE!

Social media users can shine their support for World Autism Awareness Day by turning one of Edinburgh’s most iconic monuments BLUE!

Melville Monument in St Andrew Square will change to the condition’s symbolic colour if people tweet #blue to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Twitter account @Edinburgh_CC to mark the awareness day tonight (Thursday 2 April).

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time will be the topic of a special Giant Book Group, while a Dance Back to the Future club night and a free concert are also among the events taking place this week to mark the international day in the capital.

Autism affects around 5,000 people in Edinburgh and is a lifelong developmental disorder which can affect people with or without a learning disability – sometimes known as Aspergers Syndrome. It affects both children and adults, and can have a profound effect on the way a person understands and interacts with the world around them.

The Council runs a number of services and offers support to those with the condition and their families through its Autism Edinburgh campaign and its autism plan. Support includes trained autism champions; Aspire, which helps young people move on from school and college into further education or work; family support through Positive Pathways, and a specialised online training programme.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon will be discussed at the Giant Book Group in the Central Library from 6.30pm tonight, in advance of the stage adaptation at the Festival Theatre later this month. A panel consisting of Health, Social Care and Housing Convener, Councillor Ricky Henderson, Cerin Richardson from Edinburgh Theatres, Matthew Day from Autism Initiatives and parent Amanda Wilson will launch the event, at which members of the public will form groups to talk about the book.

Clubbers will celebrate the day at Dance Back to the Future at Electric Circus from 10pm.

Cllr Henderson said: “World Autism Awareness Day is a fantastic opportunity to consider how some of us struggle every day through no fault of our own, and reminds us to show compassion and understanding.

“The Council is committed to supporting those in need to reach their full potential and to lead happy and independent lives.”

You can find out more information about World Autism Awareness Day on the Autism Speaks website.

World Autism Awareness Day: 2 April

EVENTS IN EDINBURGH

Information and activities for people with autism and their supporters

World Autism Awareness Day is 2nd April 2015. One in a hundred people in the city have autism. A range of events are being planned across the city:

Giant Book Group Event: The Curious Incident Of The Dog in The Night-Time

Thursday 2 April, 6.30pm-8pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

To enjoy the event fully you are advised to read ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ beforehand so that you can participate in small group conversations prior to the panel discussion.

To book a place: www.edinburghreads.eventbrite.co.uk

For further information: libraries@edinburgh.gov.uk

Dance Back to the Future

Thursday 2 April: Electric Circus, Edinburgh, 10pm – 3am. Tickets £5

Scottish Autism are celebrating World Autism Awareness Day by dancing back to the future in this club night which will take audiences through the decades of dance from the hits of the 60s to the present day.

For further details: www.scottishautism.org/get-involved/autism-awareness-month/whats-on-in-april

PASDA at Ocean Terminal

Thursday 2 April and Friday 3 April, Ocean Terminal, 10am -5pm.

Pasda support families of adults with autism. PASDA are supporting World Autism Awareness Day by holding an information stall over two days at Ocean Terminal. Come along to find out more about Pasda, autism awareness and information about other autism services in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

For further details visit www.pasda.org.uk

Edinburgh Autism Champions

Various dates and locations across the city from 30 March – 2 April.

Edinburgh Autism Champions are celebrating World Autism Awareness Day by hosting a number of information stalls at a variety of locations across Edinburgh. Come along to find out more about autism and a range of autism specific services in Edinburgh:

Gilmerton Library, 30 March 2pm – 4pm

Moredun Library, 31 March 2pm – 4pm

Morningside Library, 1 April 2pm – 4pm

South Neighbourhood Office, 2 April 10am – 12 noon

Edinburgh University Library, 2 April 10am – 4pm

Drumbrae Hub, 2 April 10am – 2.30 pm

ASDA, Slateford 2 April 10am – 1 pm.

A is for AUTISM

April is World Autism Awareness Month and we want to get as many people talking about autism as possible which is why we are asking you to support ‘A is for Autism’.

The idea is simply to make a letter A shape, whether it’s a cake baked in the shape of an A or an A created out of your favourite things, we need you to get creative and share your A! Once you’ve completed your masterpiece text AUTT15 £2 to 70070 to make a donation and then nominate a friend to get creative. Remember to share your A pictures with us by sharing it on our Facebook page or tag us in your photo so that we know. Alternatively you can email it to

fundraising@scottishautism.org

and we will add them to our Facebook Album – the one with the most likes will win a prize!

By sharing your A picture with us you are helping to raise awareness of autism, and hopefully encourage people to take some time to really understand the condition. As an organisation we strive to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism, to enable them to lead full and enriched lives in their community. Part of this involves promoting greater public understanding. Just remember, the A you make carries an important message so get creative and join in today!

For further information visit www.scottishautism.org