Autism Acceptance Month April 2026

Rachel_Scope
Rachel_Scope Posts: 3,295 Scope Online Community Coordinator
edited April 13 in Autism and neurodiversity

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This month, we're supporting Autism Acceptance Month and we hope you'll join us!

Autism is a lifelong neurodivergence that is characterised by different ways of thinking, feeling, and communicating.

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  • Social & Sensory Experience: Socialising can be confusing or exhausting, and busy environments can lead to sensory overload.
  • Behavioural Patterns: A preference for routine and repetitive movements (stimming) for emotional regulation are common.
  • The Impact of Masking: Many autistic individuals "mask" or hide their traits to fit into societal norms, which can lead to mental health challenges.

Source: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism

The National Autistic Society have a Pledge Wall for people to pledge their understanding and their support. Maybe you could add a pledge?

We'd love to hear your own experiences if you're comfortable in sharing.

Comments

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 971 Connected

    Way back when I was first diagnosed in October 1999, I was on Google looking up various aspects of it, and posting on my Blog, I wasn't as Internet savvy back then and didn't set everything personal to private, some guy found my Blog and proceeded to tell the world, without my pemission, on a US based wrestling forum, the resulting comments were literally unrepeatable in civilised conversation, and I've mostly hated Americans in general ever since.

    Also, almost 26 and half years later, in some ways I still resent my Sister in law for her part in getting me the diagnosis in the first place.

    But I don't say anything because it'd cause WWIII in the family.

  • dolfrog
    dolfrog Posts: 613 Trailblazing

    My disability Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), the listening disability, can be one of the conditions which can combine to be part of an individuals multiple combination of issues that are the cause of an individual's Autism.

    You could have a look at my PubMed "Autism" research paper collection, which I developed to help me understand those who may have Autism, as some of the members of my online Facebook support group have APD as part of their Autism.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1v9jzpUc5t6/collections/10371460/public/%20%20
  • Andi66
    Andi66 Online Community Member Posts: 1,391 Championing

    I've had people judging me for having Autism. Some say I managed all this time. I was diagnosed age 53 I'm 59 now. They knew me for a year . They didn't see the struggle that I've had and still have. I been told there was something wrong with me or I'm to autistic. I hate myself feeling like a freak. My daughter has it and seems to cope better.

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 971 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115234#Comment_1115234

    People have judged me my whole life (I'm 50 tomorrow) for being "different", even before I was formally diagnosed in October 1999 at the age of 23.

    Some of the comments I've had both in person and online are unrepeatable in civilised conversation.

  • Andi66
    Andi66 Online Community Member Posts: 1,391 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115252#Comment_1115252

    Same here, So sorry this has happened to you

  • hedgehoggirl
    hedgehoggirl Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener

    I have several family members who are on the spectrum. Ranging from my 40 year granddaughter who also has learning disability. Needs 24 care. My daughter diagnosed in her fifties who struggled all her life to try to fit in. My 21 year old grandson who is very clever but struggles. I’m proud of everyone who fight on daily basis.

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