Today is World Autism Awareness Day - 2nd April

[UnChartered]

I thought a thread to collect any coverage we've seen to be able to share via the web might be interesting?

I have already shared the 'Cats and Dogs' analogy already posted in this section to Ben10NeverAgain

this is very simple, but very true

I like the cats and dogs thingy, it sums my Dd up brilliantly.

Am going to print it out and give to family members.

I havent seen any publicity for WAAD. Shame really because it isnt going to reach the people who need to know.

I know Ineeda

everything i've seen has been on facebook

Agree i have not heard anything about today. What a shame! there are so many misunderstandings. I read the cats and dogs too and thought it was great.

Hi Unchartered Thanks for the :)

I am the only person on my FB that has anything about WAAD even from those people that I know have children on the spectrum! There are no local events at all - I believe in the whole of our country. Our local group has put on FB that it is WAAD but no events.

It is such a massive world wide day with some of the most important buildings around the world being lit up blue for WAAD. Not quite sure what the UK is doing.....

www.autism.org.uk/news-and-events/news-from-the-nas/stand-up-for-autism-on-waad.aspx

just searched for events and found this....

Nothing going on down here.

Well I have posted it on my FB, and many of my friends have shared it on their pages. Word of mouth at the end of the day. It's a shame it's on during school Hols. There would be more news if it was a term time event, as some schools would welcome the recognition of WAAD.

i've shared a lot of links on my fb today, and got lots of positive responses from friends.

unfortunately my immediate family members have chosen to ignore it all - not even a cursory 'like'

they've just repeated the 'My Autism and Me' newsround special on CBBC, and given info on the BBC support services, but no mention of WAAD.

next year, i shall be very much more proactive, maybe even hold an awareness event of my own...

That's great that you got responses :) I got none :(

Next year hopefully we'll have a dx so I'll feel more confident about getting out there and making a difference. At the moment I haven't even formally joined the local ASD group as I feel a fraud without a dx for him.

I love the NR My Autism and Me. Confession. That's how I told DS1 that he has AS, by getting him to watch it on Newsround. His twin sister spotted the similarities straight away, he started to cotton on and then asked lots of questions.

I think I might get it on iplayer then. Not sure if I can download it. Might be good to show him if/when we get dx.

I've just put a link on my Facebook page to the cats and dogs analogy, thanks for the heads up.

Wow! Watching it now. It will be perfect. Thank you

we haven't got a dx yet, either Ben, but since DDs PECS, trampoline therapy, her IEP on EY Action + have all had a positive effect on her, we're going to go along with the CAMHS nurse who said she'd put her 30 yr career on the line and say DD was on the spectrum

some days i think we have overracted, that she's just a typical 4yr old, there's no issue.

the days when we've been out shopping and she's crying in the car because her ears and tummy hurt because it's been too noisy tell me otherwise.

DH and i have joined a local support group, i thought that was a bit of an overreaction on my part, but DH has reminded me it's on this week. i think we don't see 'it' living day-to-day with Autism.

We're sure he has it too. The SLT says he meets all the criteria for AS. Just got to get the formal dx and then I will feel OK going, I did go to one coffee morning which was lovely and welcoming. I just knew we were a long way away from dx at that point. Hopefully soon :)

I would like to do something with the support group that i go to next year.

All i have to do is remember to check what date it is..

can i make you a schedule to help you remember?

Newsround Special.

Lol, thanks unchartered .

Have just checked, it is always the 2nd of April so i have put it into the calendar on my phone.

same here still awaiting dx but even if I wanted to join a support group there is none! I think even if I invented one myself I would probably be the only visitor lol

I just looked on the NAS website and all they come up with is a string of holiday lets, the council, camhs and courses oh and a whole 4 special schools WOW. No coffee and chat groups here good job I like my own company.....plus MN

We all need to come to your Cornwall support group and have cream teas

Yesssss! I couldstart lying and say Cornwall was a fabulous inclusive place, top NHS wonderful LA (actually mine have been good so far lol) hundreds schools on doorstep and draw you all into my lair muahahahaha!

Might be a few bun fights when the truth is out lol but as they were coming in my direction and I am a cake lover.......

My friend started her own support group coff and it has been really successful.

There are about 15 people there sometimes and we have done an outing with the dc's.

I would definitely come to yours a couple of times a year when i am in cornwall though.

Especially if there were bunfights. Lol