Wokingham

In a bid to help local Wokingham residents understand what it is like to have autism, Wokingham Borough Council is supporting World Autism Awareness Day on Thursday (April 2).

By bringing together Wokingham autism organisations all around the world, World Autism Awareness Day aims to give a voice to the millions of people worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. It is believed that autism affects over 500,000 people in the UK, and approximately 1.3 per cent of the population in the Wokingham Borough have an autism diagnosis, but that leaves many more of the general public who perhaps do not know or have much awareness about this disabling condition.

And to help overcome this, the Wokingham Autism Partnership in conjunction with Wokingham Borough Council, is organising a number of events including high-profile speakers, training and workshops, drama productions, quiz and film nights and play sessions next month (May) to raise awareness in the Wokingham Borough. The events will take place between Tuesday May 19 and Saturday May 23 and exact dates, times and venues will be advertised shortly.

Pamela Breslin, co-ordinator at Wokingham Autism Partnership at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “If you have autism, live with autism, or work with someone who has autism, you are probably aware of how this disability can affect you and those around you. You are probably aware of how complex autism can be, and how hard you need to work to understand the world around you – social situations, language, communication, knowing what is going to happen next, or when something is going to come to an end.

“However as many people that are affected by autism know, there is still a long way to go to raise the profile of this disability. We want to promote greater understanding in the Wokingham Borough about autism. And in May, the Wokingham Autism Partnership is holding a number of events in the borough to raise the awareness of autism.”

Chris Jones, head of universal services at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “All too often autism is not properly understood as a distinct condition and the needs of people affected by autism are not recognised. By supporting World Autism Awareness Day, we hope to raise the profile of this condition.”

For further information about the events in May, contact Pamela Breslin on (0118) 9746 882 or by email at: pamela.breslin@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham Borough Council