It’s the one week of the year when the eyes of the world hone in on autism - and last year one North-East charity caused a bit of a stir with its own take on World Autism Awareness Acceptance Week.

Campaigns Lead for the North East Autism Society, Lindsay Bruce, explains:

“The turning point came for us when we started really listening to autistic people. It sounds so obvious, doesn’t it? It’s amazing how many organisations don’t take the time to actually listen to the people they are supposed to be representing.

“When we did, it became really clear that what’s needed is not more passive awareness, but instead a movement of proactive acceptance.”

And it was from there that the team decided to take the bold step of rebranding ‘Autism Awareness Week’ as ‘Autism Acceptance Week’.

“As the region’s leading provider of services and support for children, young people and adults who are autistic or neurodiverse, we take seriously our role in shaping the narrative on how people view and understand autism,” Lindsay added.

“In past years, we’ve asked local authorities, businesses and key locations to illuminate their buildings / landmarks in blue for autism awareness, in line with our own corporate colours, but last year we stepped away from blue, adopting GOLD instead.”

A colour that holds value, is synonymous with celebration, and has the chemical symbol Au, gold is a step toward a more inclusive way of seeing autism – and a step away from negative language and association which always brands autistic people by deficits and challenges, instead of celebrating difference.

Lindsay said: “Our amazing region got behind us – and the message of autism acceptance went further than our wildest dreams. People all over the world joined in, schools as far away as Australia signed up – even the London Underground signs were adorned with our words! So this year we are going Back on the Road to Acceptance, and we would love you to join this movement.”

The Northern Echo:

Statistics suggest that one person in every 100 will be autistic – but from their collective experience delivering services for almost 40 years, NEAS believes this number to be much, much higher.

“We would love you to join us in supporting and championing not just autism, but the amazing autistic people from our region,” said Lindsay. “There are so many ways to take part.”

This year landmarks across the region – including Stockton Riverside, The Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle Civic Centre, Middlesbrough fountains, Darlington clock tower and Penshaw Monument – will all be going gold, and it’s not too late for organisations to join in.

The Society’s website www.ne-as.org.uk will host informative articles and videos every day during Autism Acceptance Week – or schools can download an information pack to get classes involved.

There will also be some big surprises during the week, and the public are encouraged to keep an eye out for NEAS touring the region in a Gold car – courtesy of SG Petch.

For anyone who really wants to vote with their feet, NEAS also have two amazing neurodiverse-friendly walks planned – one in Newcastle, and one in Herrington Park, Sunderland. Registration details and more information at www.ne-as.org.uk.

The Northern Echo: