Dear Learners,
Wednesday (2 April) was World Autism Awareness Day. First observed by the United Nations in 2007, it is a day for promoting awareness and understanding of autism worldwide.
For 2025, the UN observed the theme “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, which focused on highlighting the links between neurodiversity, global sustainability efforts, and inclusive policies and practices.
Meanwhile, Aspect—Australia’s largest service provider for people on the autism spectrum—has changed this day to World Autism Understanding Day, aiming to challenge misconceptions and help Australians better understand autism. More information can be found here: https://www.aspect.org.au/waud/learn-about-waud
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people think, feel, socially interact with others, and experience their environment. When working in the community services and care industries, you may need to support clients with autism as part of your role. It is your job to accommodate their needs and act in their best interests. This could be by:
- Respecting the varying communication and sensory needs of clients with autism
- Supporting differences and diversity to develop respectful and supportive interactions with clients with autism, both for you and your colleagues
- Providing autism-friendly spaces in your workplace
- Understanding that people with autism can need varying levels and types of support and have preferences for how you care for them in your role
- Advocating against marginalisation, infantilisation, and discrimination towards people with autism
It is important to remember that every person with autism is different, with no “one size fits all” approach. You must be open and respectful to all.
Happy Friday!
