Today is April 2nd, which is Autism Acceptance Day. This is a presentation that I have done for my university. I want to share if with the rest of the world to explain how autistic people can be supported! Here is a video that supports this presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m8-unqnCvY

1. How To
Support
Autistic
People
For World Autism
Acceptance Day –
2nd April

2. Autism
Acceptance Day
• The day that recognizes and
advocates for the rights of
autistic people
• Educates people who have
limited knowledge about autism
• Helps make the world a
friendlier place for autistic
people
• Promotes events and campaigns
that raises money to create a
society that works for
autistic people

3. What is Autism?
• A neurodevelopmental
condition which affects how
people communicate and
interact with the world
+ NOT a disease and NOT caused by
vaccines
• A hidden or invisible
condition – you cannot tell
if someone is autistic by
looking at them
• A spectrum condition and
affects people in different
ways
+ NEVER use “functioning” labels

4. Diagnosis of
Autism
• There are two types of
diagnosis:
+ Professional diagnosis – A
process involving a team of
specialists who assess whether
a person is autistic or not
+ Self-diagnosis – When a person
is diagnosing autism in
oneself
• 1% of the world’s population
are on the autism spectrum
+ 75 million autistic adults and
children

5. Social
Communication and
Interaction
Challenges may include:
• Taking things literally and
not understanding abstract
concepts
• Needing extra time to process
information or answer
questions
• Finding it hard to form
friendships

6. Repetitive
Behaviours
• Preferring routines so they know what
is going to happen in an unpredictable
world
+ Changes to their routines can cause
anxiety or distress
• Self-stimulating behaviour (AKA
stimming) such as body rocking or
twirling a pen
+ Either helps them calm down when they are
stressed, or as a sense of enjoyment
+ Although do intervene if the stimming
causes self-harm

7. Sensory Differences
• May experience over- or under-
sensitivity to light, sound,
taste or touch
+ E.g. specific background music
may not be a deal for some
neurotypical people, but it can
be loud or distracting for some
autistic people
• Their sensitivity issues cause
many autistic people to avoid
everyday situations as they can
be particularly overwhelming
and cause sensory overload
+ Simple adjustments can make
environments more autistic
friendly

8. Highly Focused
Interests
• Many autistic people often have
highly focused interests from a
fairly young age
+ Can either change over time or be
lifelong
• Autistic people can become experts
in their hobbies and interests and
usually like to share their
knowledge
+ They gain pleasure from pursuing
their interests and view them as
fundamental to their happiness and
well-being
• Being highly focused helps many
autistic people do well
academically and in the workplace

9. Discrimination Towards
Autistic People
• There are people who perceive autistic traits
as undesirable
+ “Trendy condition”, “Excuse for bad behaviour”,
“Mental illness”, “Tragedy”, “Unable to
empathise”, “Weirdos with no social skills”
• Ableists want to control autistic people and make
autism an “issue” they can oppress
• Autistic students are denied access to education
because they could not support their needs
+ Only 22% of autistic adults are in any kind of
employment
• Masking – Hiding autistic traits to fit into the
neurotypical world

10. Strengths of Autism
The best parts of having autism may include:
• Exceptional long-term memory
• Skilled at auditory and visual tasks
• Highly creative
• Great attention to detail
• Non-judgemental of others
• Extremely passionate
• Very intelligent

11. Famous Autistic
People

12. How Can I Support
Autistic People
• Learn about their interests,
needs and challenges
+ Treat autistic people the same
as neurotypical people
• Build a trusting relationship
+ Establish preferred
communication method
+ Use clear and precise language
• Create a supportive social
environment
+ Consider sensory differences
and routines
• Support autism-related
organisations

13. Autism-Related Organisations

14. Thank You For
Watching