Setting the gold standard for people with autism

Ahead of World Autism Awareness Week, PETER BARRON reports on the significant progress being made by North-East businesses in adapting to the needs of people living with the condition…

ACROSS the North-East, and in one town in particular, the world is changing for those living with autism.

With World Autism Awareness Week starting on April 1, the pioneering work of the North East Autism Society (NEAS) is making an increasing difference to the lives of families living with the condition in this part of the country.

And, as we head deeper into 2019, the narrative around autism is changing. The emphasis is no longer just on “autism awareness” but on “autism acceptance”. The aim is to get society to embrace those with autism and other neurodiverse conditions so that the skills they can offer are viewed positively, with the potential to be an asset in the workplace.

Rather than the language of deficits or disability, NEAS wants autism and neurodiversity to be celebrated and accepted. And, as part of that campaign, the society is “Going for Gold” in 2019.

Previously, in line with the charity’s corporate colours, businesses, local authorities and key locations have been urged to illuminate buildings and landmarks in blue during Autism Awareness Week. But this year, the chosen colour is gold because of its associations with positivity, success and achievement.

Darlington has recently proved to be a shining example of a town that’s embracing the need for change. The borough council and dozens of local businesses made the headlines earlier this month by joining forces in an ambitious bid to become the most autism-friendly place in the country.

A working group, chaired by Darlington councillor Andrew Scott, who has special responsibility for health on the borough council, has been established to drive the campaign forward. A host of businesses and organisations have already pledged their support for the Darlington initiative by agreeing to staff awareness training or taking part in autism-friendly events.

The expert training is provided by NEAS through its Autism and Neurodiversity Academy (ANDA), which was set up in November 2017 to formalise and develop training it was already providing to many organisations. The passionate objective is for ANDA to become the go-to training provider for any employer wishing to have a greater understanding of autism and neurodiversity.

Last year, Darlington’s Cornmill Shopping Centre launched a monthly “quiet hour” on Sundays for family’s affected by autism and other neurodiverse conditions. It proved so popular that it became weekly.

Other examples of support in the town include Charles Clinkard shoe shop which has started offering “quiet appointments” for autistic customers.

Organisations taking part in the Darlington initiative include: Darlington Borough Council, Darlington Cares, Queen Street shopping centre, Rockliffe Hall, Darlington Building Society, the Dolphin Centre, Boots, House of Fraser, Mercure Darlington Kings Head Hotel, Wilkinsons, Boyes, Guru Boutique, The Keys, Laura Ashley, Vue Cinema, Mangobean, Origins Home and Origins Coffee Bar, Geoff Gillow, Create and Paint, Designer Dog Company, Hatch luncheonette.

Councillor Scott said: “Darlington has set out to become an exemplar in the way the needs of people with autism and other neurodiverse conditions are considered. The response from local businesses has been overwhelmingly positive and we are now well placed to build on the momentum ahead of World Autism Awareness Week at the start of April.”

NEAS chief executive John Phillipson said: “Darlington is showing the country the way by uniting behind a common goal to make a positive difference to the lives of people with autism and other neurodiverse conditions. We are delighted to be working with such a forward-thinking town.”

However, it is not only Darlington that is embracing the opportunities provided by ANDA. The academy is delivering innovative training across a variety of sectors, with a team of trainers who have the expertise and flexibility to go wherever the need is.

Dozens of organisations in the North-East have already benefited from the training, including Vertu Honda. The Newcastle branch led the way in December and now other branches have signed up for the training in April, including Sunderland and Morpeth. The aim is to make Vertu Motors an inclusive car dealership.

Other new training partners for 2019 include County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, and National Rail.

NEAS representatives also recently met with the Shopping Centre Forum to develop a regional approach to ensure that autistic people have the best possible customer experience in North-East retail centres. During April, training will be provided at the Parkway shopping centre, Middlesborough, and Middleton Grange shopping centre in Hartlepool.

Organisations to have previously undergone the training include Newcastle International Airport, a number of theatres in the region, and several more shopping centres.

Whitley Bay Health Centre received the training late last year, with GPs, practice nurses and administration staff all attending to get a better understanding of how to support patients in need of extra help. With 1,500 patients in their care, there was a recognition that a greater appreciation of autism and neurodiversity is required.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the region, NEAS is forging a new partnership with Stockton Borough Council to launch toddler groups in Billingham, Thornaby and central Stockton to provide a relaxed, safe, and supportive environment for families affected by autism.

ANDA is an increasingly important part of the service offered by NEAS. The academy offers Level One accredited courses in "Neurodiversity: Professional Practice Skills" and "Autism and Diversity", with both units based on 27 guided learning hours. The training covers an introduction to autism, autism awareness, sensory differences in autism, communication differences, cognition in autism, and emotional wellbeing. It is flexible enough to fit any organisation across multiple sectors, and capable of being delivered in the workplace.

“Through this training we are changing attitudes and promoting the positive narrative about autism,” says Kerrie Highcock. “During 2019, NEAS wants to work with more partners from all sectors to ensure the voices of autistic people are heard, and work to develop a society that takes into account the very real challenges autistic individuals face on a daily basis.”

Thanks to the dedication of NEAS, working in partnership with enlightened businesses and public sector bodies, the North-East is setting the gold standard in embracing people with autism and other neurodiverse conditions.

• Could your organisation benefit from bespoke training from ANDA? To find out more, go to www.anda.org.uk, telephone 0191 410 9974, or email info@anda.org.uk.

WHAT IS NEURODIVERSITY?

Neurodiversity is more than just a term – it’s both a fact and a movement.

 It’s the concept that all ‘brain wiring’ – or neurological difference -  is and should be recognised, respected and celebrated as part of what is considered a normal variation in humanity.

 Labels such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, ADHD, Tourette syndrome and many more neurodevelopmental differences would come under this banner, helping us understand their individuality and overlap, but removing the stigma of deficits and disorders and with it the notion that such things can or should be cured.

 Embracing neurodiversity is a journey towards finding new language, new understanding and new acceptance for thousands of people in our region and millions more across the globe. It’s a movement that will nurture, celebrate and advocate for all forms of communication and expression, promoting any support that allows autistic people – and any others – to live life fulfilled, happy and on their own terms.

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE

To mark the shift from ‘autism awareness’ to ‘autism acceptance’, the North East Autism Society has designed a new logo.

The grey letter ‘A’ for autism has a gold loop, which is the infinity symbol, representing neurodiversity. Gold was chosen as the colour because it represents the ‘Going for Gold’ campaign and is associated with excellence and achievement.

Also, the chemical element for gold is AU linking back to autism.

ANDA – the Autism and Neurodiversity Academy – has also developed a kitemark for businesses to use on their websites and literature to show staff have undergone training.