Young people with autism come together with Cognus and partners to celebrate World Autism Acceptance Week 2022
World Autism Acceptance Week takes place from 28 March to 3 April 2022 and is focused on creating a society that accepts and supports autistic people.
To celebrate Autism Week 2022, Cognus and partners across Sutton, have arranged a range of activities culminating in a youth-led conference steered by autistic young people. Cognus is commissioned by Sutton Council to provide education services to mainstream schools and specialist education providers in the Borough.
There are a range of events taking place in the weeks around World Autism Acceptance Week, which are detailed on the Cognus website. Over a week of events have been planned, including a parent workshop, train and play session and an E-safety talk.
The week ends with a virtual Youth-Led Conference, where there will be an opportunity to hear from eight young people from schools across the borough, talking about what autism means to them, and the adjustments they would like to make society more autism-friendly.
Joanna Cassey, Managing Director of Cognus said;
“Cognus are delighted to be bringing such a rich and varied programme of information events and interactive activities to the local area as part of Autism Week 2022. It is particularly inspiring to see so many sessions led by young people, who are sharing their experiences and views; adding a really powerful, inciteful dimension to the programme.”
A number of young people involved in the conference shared their thoughts ahead of the event.
“I chose to speak at the Youth-Led Conference to help people to break the stereotypes and misconceptions on language used around autism. Otherwise, if we don’t talk about it autistic people may not have their voices heard and people may constantly use language that we don’t want to use. When people use the wrong language, it makes me feel hurt and isolated. Nothing about autism, without autistic people.”
– Pavan
“I don’t think autism’s such a hidden disability as people make it seem. In reality, it affects all of us whether that’s directly or not and I just think it’s important we spread awareness of that fact – the fact that we’re not anomalies among the many. I’ve decided to speak in this youth-led conference because I think it’s time we stop making autistic people everywhere believe there’s something wrong with them because of how we – as a society – react.”
– Em Mason
Rebecca Duffus, Advisory Teacher for Autism at Cognus, who arranged the festival said;
“It’s so important that young people see their identity reflected back to them through posters, books and events. The many strengths associated with autism should be celebrated and my aim with organising this event was to provide an opportunity to do just that. Hearing from the young people themselves is not only empowering for them, but it will inspire their peers and future generations.”
