The Royal Borough of Greenwich has marked Autism Acceptance Month by raising awareness of autism and promoting greater understanding and inclusion across the borough.
Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity to improve understanding of autism, challenge misconceptions and promote inclusion within local communities. Autism is a lifelong condition, and autistic people experience the world in different ways. Increasing awareness and sharing clear, accessible information can help ensure autistic residents feel recognised, respected and included in everyday life.
Autism Acceptance Month has been used to highlight the importance of listening to autistic people and working alongside residents, families, carers and partners to make Greenwich a more inclusive place to live, work and study.
A key part of this work is the Autism Partnership Board, which brings together autistic residents, people with lived experience, carers, voluntary and community organisations, health partners and council officers. The Board provides a forum for sharing experiences, raising issues and helping to shape future priorities and improvements across the borough.
The council is committed to helping improve understanding of autism and encouraging positive attitudes across the borough. We’re sharing a number of videos with people who have lived experience of autism, including:
- Autism doesn't always look the same with Douggie
- Joining the Autism Partnership Board with Paul
A council spokesperson said:
“Autism Acceptance Month is about listening, learning and building understanding. We want autistic residents and their families to feel heard and valued, and we are committed to working with our communities and partners to make Greenwich more inclusive. The Autism Partnership Board plays an important role in helping us understand what matters most to people with lived experience and where we need to focus our efforts.”
Karen, a Greenwich resident said:
"Autism Acceptance Month matters to me as a parent and a neurodivergent person because it helps challenge harmful myths and misinformation that cause real trauma. Autistic people need connection, not exclusion. Empathy depends on understanding. While you can’t stand in my shoes, you can recognise that I may need very different ones from your own."
Residents who would like to learn more about autism or find out how to get involved in the Autism Partnership Board can find further information on the council’s website or by emailing nd-commissioning@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.