Autism Awareness Week: Fundraising for the Cause

What is Autism Awareness Week?

Autism Awareness Week is an annual event that serves as a reminder of the significance of fostering acceptance, understanding, and support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This dedicated week offers a platform for communities worldwide to unite in raising awareness about autism and advocating for inclusivity and support for those on the spectrum.

Through education, outreach initiatives, and heartfelt conversations, we can work together to cultivate a more inclusive society where individuals with autism are embraced for their unique strengths and talents. It is all about fostering a culture of empathy and compassion, which is natural in the care community. Together, let’s celebrate the diversity and resilience of individuals with autism.

Cavendish Park’s Fundraising Coffee Morning!

Get ready to mark your calendars for a special event that promises to make a meaningful difference in our community! Cavendish Park Care Home is proud to announce their Autism Awareness Charity Fundraiser, scheduled to take place on 2nd April, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

As part of Autism Awareness Week, the Cavendish Park Family is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for autism, an important cause that touches the lives of many individuals and families. During their event, they’re thrilled to welcome guest speakers from Autism West Midlands, who will share valuable insights and information to help increase our understanding of autism.

Autism West Midlands are a leading charity for autism, they are passionate in enriching the lives of autistic people and those who love and care for them.

We invite you to join everyone at Cavendish Park Care Home, located on Offenham Road in Evesham, for a morning of education, awareness, and meaningful connections. Together, let’s show our support for autism awareness and make a positive impact in the lives of those with autism.

Cavendish Park have a close connection to Freedom Day Centre a day centre for adults based in Worcestershire. They are a family run organisation that was started back in 2016. Freedom Day Centre will be attending the charity fundraiser in April, for a morning of Autism acceptance and awareness. Find them on Facebook here. And visit their website here.

For more information about Cavendish Park’s Autism Awareness Coffee Morning and how you can get involved, please click here.

Happy’s Sponsored Walk

Cavendish Park’s event isn’t just about raising awareness – it’s also an opportunity for you to get involved and make a difference. Join us in supporting their fundraising efforts, whether it’s participating in their delightful raffle or showing your support for Happy, the lovely resident who is taking on a mighty sponsored walk for a special cause. Because of her family connection to autism, this cause is very close to Happy’s heart. She believes so much support can be given! Happy has been charging £1 a go to estimate how many steps she will do in the week. She has so far raised £220. The closest guess wins a special prize!

When we interviewed Happy about her connection to autism she had so many insightful stories to give! Read below for more…

Exploring Autism Awareness with Happy

Happy sheds light on the importance of raising awareness about autism, noting its often overlooked condition compared to more well-known circumstances like cancer. She emphasises the challenges of understanding and obtaining a diagnosis. Happy stresses the vital role of a supportive social network, including understanding parents and specialised educators, in navigating day-to-day life with autism.

“If a child has got autism, they do not understand it. But if their parents have a good understanding this can make the world of difference. They can go to all extremes to help them. It is particularly difficult for the child because they may not understand why they are different to others” -Happy

Personal Insights from Happy

Sharing a personal anecdote, Happy recounts the journey of a loved one with autism who faced challenges in finding suitable educational environments. Despite obstacles, he showcased remarkable creativity, eventually pursuing studies in art and hosting exhibitions in London. This shows the remarkable talent and unique strength of individuals with autism. Happy emphasises the significance of supporting not only individuals with autism but also their families, who may face distinctive challenges.

Walking for a Cause

Motivated by this, Happy is undertaking a sponsored walk this Autism Awareness Week. With each step, she raises funds to support individuals and families affected by autism, inspired by stories of resilience and the potential for positive impact. All funds will go to Autism West Midlands.

Top 5 unknowns

Here are five things that are usually unknown to the wider population when it comes to Autism:

Autism is a spectrum: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of characteristics, strengths, and challenges. Individuals with autism may present with diverse abilities and may experience the condition differently. It’s essential to recognize that autism is not a one-size-fits-all condition.

Autistic individuals have unique strengths: While autism presents challenges in certain areas, individuals on the autism spectrum often possess unique strengths and talents. Many autistic individuals have exceptional abilities in areas such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, creativity, and problem-solving.

Sensory sensitivities are common: Many individuals with autism experience sensory sensitivities, which can include heightened sensitivity or aversion to sounds, textures, lights, smells, tastes, and even certain clothing fabrics. These sensory differences can significantly impact daily life and may contribute to behavioural responses or challenges.

Autism often co-occurs with other conditions: Individuals with autism frequently have co-occurring conditions, such as epilepsy, anxiety disorders, ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), gastrointestinal issues, sleep disorders, and depression. Addressing these comorbidities is essential for providing comprehensive care and support.

Autism manifests differently in females: Although the majority of ASD is diagnosed in males, it affects women and girls too but just in different ways. Autism often presents differently in females than in males, leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. Females with autism may demonstrate different social behaviours, masking their symptoms by imitating their peers, camouflaging social difficulties, or developing coping strategies to navigate social situations.