Beyond buzzwords: transforming Autism Awareness into meaningful change

April celebrates autism. But with so many different awareness days and months a year, how can we make this one count? Firstly, language matters. We are increasingly seeing a shift away from ‘autism awareness’ to ‘autism acceptance’. While many of us are aware of what autism is, many people don’t fully understand some of the misconceptions autistic people can be subjected to, particularly when it comes to the world of work. Common autism myths include the belief that autistic people who have learning disabilities are worse communicators or lack empathy. To be ‘autism-accepting’ entails a conscious desire to understand, respect and be more inclusive of the people we know or might meet in the future.

So how do we move from acceptance to action? The past couple of months have seen a good deal of attention directed towards autism, at a time when fewer than 3 in 10 people with autism are in work. And that is despite growing evidence showing why recruiting people with autism makes good business sense - from enhanced innovation and productivity to increased competitive advantage.

Sir Robert Buckland MP’s review of Autism employment, supported by Autistica, presents recommendations that could help bring in and retain more autistic people in the workforce. From creating a national employer-aimed campaign and promoting supported internships and apprenticeships to ensuring careers advisers in schools and colleges have a good understanding of autism, there is much that can be done to harness the full potential of this untapped workforce.

Shifting the status quo comes in many different forms. Michael Sheen being quizzed by 35 autistic and neurodivergent young people on the BBC’s The Assembly shone a light on the creativity, curiosity and diversity of thought held by many of the interviewees.

At a time when the UK is seeing an increase in autism diagnoses, The Assembly shows the power that shifting cultural consciousness can have. In the context of encouraging more employers to recruit autistic and neurodivergent individuals, it may be one thing to circulate the phrase ‘diversity of thought’; it is quite another to be able to understand its meaning in real time, on screen and connect with it in the comfort of your own living room.

Watch The Assembly’s trailer here.