Autism Awareness Week 2018 runs from Monday, March 26, until World Autism Awareness Day on Easter Monday, April 2.
Autism Berkshire is running a series of events for autistic people and their families in the run-up and during the week itself.
Among the highlights will be an awareness-raising event to launch the week at Broad Street in the centre of Reading, on March 26, where there will be the chance to see the special Autism Berkshire double-decker bus, decorated by Reading Buses to mark our partnership as the company’s Charity of the Year for 2018.
Autism Berkshire’s chief executive officer, Jane Stanford-Beale, said: “We have arranged a varied range of activities to raise awareness and understanding of autism and involve autistic people and their families.
“Anyone who would like to find out more about autism and our support services is welcome to visit us at the information events we are running or attending around the county. We look forward to seeing you.”
The full programme is as follows:
Wednesday, March 21: Safeguarding Autistic Girls course for Professionals with Berkshire autism advocate Carly Jones MBE, drawing on material from her online safeguarding course called Boundaries, Bodies, Abuse and Reporting it for Autistic Girls.
The workshop at RISC, in London Street, Reading, from 10am to noon, will look at the differences needed in explaining boundaries to autistic girls, why boundaries may be harder to recognise and how to recognise and report abuse, should it occur, in a timely and healthy way.
Click here for more details and to book places, which cost £30 per person.
Thursday, March 22: Autism Berkshire information stand and fundraising collection at The Oracle Centre in Reading, from noon to 4pm. We are looking for volunteers to hold collection buckets for us during this event. Even if you can only spare an hour or two, please let us know if you can help by calling 01189 594 594 or emailing admin@autismberkshire.org.uk
Sunday. March 25: Walk for Autistic Adults, with the Autism Berkshire 197 Club adult social group. Meet outside Starbucks at The Oracle Centre in Reading at 11am, then walking alongside the River Kennet to the Cunning Man pub at Burghfield for lunch.
Monday, March 26:
- Autism Berkshire and Reading Buses information stand and fundraising collection in Broad Street, Reading, from 11am to 4pm. We are looking for volunteers to hold collection buckets for us during this event. Even if you can only spare an hour or two, please let us know if you can help by calling 01189 594 594 or emailing admin@autismberkshire.org.uk
- Pre-assessment Workshop for parents and carers living in the Borough of Wokingham who have children on the Berkshire CAMHS waiting list for an autism assessment. 10.30am to 12.30pm at St Paul’s Church, Reading Road, Wokingham. Click here for more details and to book free places.
Tuesday, March 27: Autism Berkshire information stand at The Curve cultural hub in Slough town centre during the afternoon.
Wednesday, March 28:
- Drop-in autism advice session at the YES Shop, 61 Queensmere Observatory Centre, Slough. 10am to 2pm. Clare Johnson-Alem, our Slough programme manager, will be available to meet parents and carers to discuss autism-related matters. You can also make an appointment if you call us on 01189 594 594 or email contact@autismberkshire.org.uk
- Autism Berkshire information stand at the Nicholson Centre in Maidenhead town centre during the afternoon.
Saturday, March 31: Slime-making workshop for autistic children run by Carly Jones at RISC in Reading. 10.30am to noon. Please note that this event is now sold out.
There are also two events in early April that will be of interest to our members, supporters and service users.
Friday, April 6: Reading Society of Model Engineers Easter school holiday event at Prospect Park Railway in Reading for children with special needs and their families. Train rides and light refreshments available from 1.30pm to 4pm and the Autism Berkshire information stand will also be there.
Sunday, April 15: Autism Berkshire Members’ Family Fun Day, Thames Valley Adventure Playground in Taplow, noon to 4pm. Members will be notified when tickets for this event go on sale.
- If you want more information about any of these events or the training courses for professionals, call the Autism Berkshire office on 01189 594 594 or email admin@autismberkshire.org.uk
- Please note that an Introduction to Autism training course for professionals, due to take place in Maidenhead on Tuesday, March 20, has been rearranged and will now be held on Tuesday, April 17. Click here for more details.
