Autism NI is marking World Autism Day by calling on people across Northern Ireland to support its message, ‘Be Kind to Different Minds’.
With more than 35,000 autistic people in Northern Ireland, the charity is encouraging the public to recognise, celebrate and show meaningful support for the autistic community.
Emily McCreedy, an autistic young person, said: “To me, being autistic means I experience the world differently, and that’s something to be proud of. Not everyone has to be the same, and those differences should be valued. Since my diagnosis, I’ve received more support at school and through Autism NI, which has made a big difference to my life.
Autism isn’t something that needs to be fixed, it’s part of who I am. I’m creative and kind, and with the right support, I feel safe, accepted, and proud to be autistic.”
Autism NI’s CEO, Kerry Boyd, adds: “This World Autism Day, we are asking the public to get behind our message, ‘Be Kind to Different Minds’. We want to build greater understanding of autism, promote acceptance, and create a more inclusive society, but we cannot do this alone.
Autistic people may face challenges, many of which are not visible to others. This reinforces the message that autism is a dynamic disability, and everyone’s experience is different. Through this campaign, we want to encourage people to deepen their understanding of autism and recognise how this can lead to meaningful changes in empathy, respect and inclusion.
Whether at home, in school or in the workplace, everyone has a role to play. Throughout April, Autism NI will be running a range of activities and campaigns, providing opportunities for people to get involved and show their support.”
Autism NI provides vital services for autistic people and their families across Northern Ireland and continues to campaign for greater understanding and acceptance of autism in society.
To find out more about how to get involved, visit https://autismni.org/get-involved/world-autism-month
