Читать книгу Is It OK to Ask Questions about Autism? - Abi Rawlins - Страница 4

Introduction

Dear Parents, Schools, Teachers and Allies,

Autism is more common than a lot of people think. There are currently about 700,000 autistic1 people in the United Kingdom. Being aware of autism and how it can affect people at school or in the workplace will help us make the world a more autism-friendly place.

All the questions in this book were asked by primary-school students. They told us they want to learn about autism so they can be more considerate and understanding of their peers. Their questions are important and merit further exploration. We might not have all the answers yet but we do know enough to educate and empower ourselves with the basics.

As a society we often shy away from talking openly about autism. Some people have told us

they are worried they might say the wrong thing, so they end up saying nothing at all. We invite you to use this book as a tool to encourage open and sensitive conversations. On each page you will find digestible information and thoughtful illustrations to help you facilitate discussions about autism within a positive framework.

One of the best ways to learn about autism is to listen to the experiences and views of autistic people. All the answers in this book have been written in collaboration with autistic people and their families. Without their insight this book would not have been possible.

When you ask questions about autism, each autistic person may have a different answer. Think of the answers in this book as a starting point for

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