From the iconic Star Wars Day to the niche celebrations of Towel Day, May has always been one of my favourite months of the year. However, while May’s annual virtues are clear to see, 2019 has somehow upped the ante by bringing out the very best of our community.

Don’t believe me? Then check out these awesome moments from the last 31 days, all of which come courtesy of those on the spectrum. As always, links to the full stories can be accessed by clicking on the red titles and the bold headings.

Honourable Mentions:

Witchcraft album cover

(Photo Credit: Tiergarten Records)

Sadly, there’s only room in the top 5 for, well, 5 and that means that even some of the most brilliant moments from last month didn’t quite make the cut. As such, today’s honourable mentions list is one you are going to want to pay attention to and, believe me, if you think the headlines that were left out are something, wait until you see the ones that weren’t!

The Top 5 Autism News Pieces for May 2019:

5. National Autistic Society’s CEO Steps Down

After announcing his departure in late February, Mark Lever: Chief Executive Officer of the National Autistic Society left his position this month, after 11 years of service to the charity. In his absence, The National Autistic Society has stated that the senior board and trustees will temporarily take over Lever’s role and keep the ship running smoothly until a new Chief Executive Officer is appointed.

In his parting message, Lever stated that he is ‘proud of what our charity achieves every day’. However, I would imagine there are some the charity’s achievements he is more proud of than others e.g.

  • I Exist: the first campaign Lever worked on (in which public awareness of autistic people was raised)
  • The Autism Act (which I have previously discussed here)
  • Too Much Information: the most recent campaign; aimed at improving autism understanding (which demonstrates the success of I Exist as we enter a world where awareness has been achieved and the goal posts have been moved)

While Mark Lever’s leaving leaves some pretty big shoes to fill (try saying that 5 times), the search for a new CEO couldn’t be more thorough as, amongst the many interviews stages, candidates will be assessed by a panel of autistic stakeholders (to which I was invited but, sadly, couldn’t attend). So while it’s sad to see Lever leave, I wish him luck in his new role at Helpforce and have total faith that the National Autistic Society will find someone exceptional to step in.

4. INSAR 2019

Montral the home of the INSAR conference

As May comes to an end, it’s time to get started on some Spring cleaning and what better place to start than by dusting off my old ‘Science for Dummies’ books and breaking down those overly complicated autism announcements which appear at May’s annual International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) conference?

In stark contrast to last year’s discussions, which featured a heavy focus on gender identity, this year’s event can be best described as ‘a mixed bag’, covering a wide range of topic from all across the spectrum including:

It was also incredible to see that the conference has been commended by many for its improved inclusion of autistic attendees (however, I am yet to see any openly autistic people mentioning their attendance at the conference).

3. Neurodiversity: The rise of autism online

The first Neurodiversity Panel took place at comic con

(Photo Credit: Connor Ward)

In the first panel of its kind, this month autism advocates took to the Comic Con stage in London to discuss what it’s like being an influencer on YouTube. The panel was an eclectic mix including Kevin Chapman (The Chapman Family), Holly Smith (Holly Vlogs), Daniel Jones (The Aspie World) and Connor Ward (Connor Ward UK) and, after watching the panel – a full 3 times now, it’s hard to image a line up that could have done a better job.

During the gripping one-hour session, attendees shared intimate experiences such as what it’s like for someone with social challenges to meet fans in public along with more controversial subjects like should people be paid for their advocacy?

Whilst it’s important to appreciate and understand the autistic creators who are out there making a difference, I believe that one of the lesser discussed virtues of the panel was that it drew awareness to and celebrated just how diverse a community we can be. It’s hard not to imagine that, amongst the packed crowd, there were 1 or 2 autists and I have no doubt that they were left inspired by what they heard -as will others who rewatch the panel recording (found here).

2. Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week Poster

Sometimes you don’t realise the significance of something until it has passed. Other times you feel like you are part of history as it happens. The former is exactly how I felt over the week of May 13th and in the lead up to, what became, one hell of a Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Over 340 schools and colleges took part in Neurodiversity Celebration Week (a time set aside to change the autism narrative from the need of awareness to a message of understanding and acceptance) and, during the course of the 5-day event, students learnt how to embrace diversity: whether a person is dyslexic, dyspraxic, has ADHD, ADD or autism.

Now the event has come to an end, many have wondered what the future will be for Neurodiversity Celebration Week and, after speaking to its creator: Siena Castellon, I’m happy to share that this is only just the beginning because, as Siena herself explains:

“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is here to stay. I’m so grateful to everyone that supported it and who took part. The messages from teachers, students and parents letting me know the positive impact the week had on their lives has been really touching and encouraging. Next year, Neurodiversity Celebration Week will be even bigger and bolder. I can’t wait.“

1. SEND Protests

SEND Protests sigh that reads 'what lessons one of us lessens all of us'

Every month it seems that one piece of news creeps in at the last second and ultimately ruins any chance of releasing this roundup on time. However, when I witnessed and heard about The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) protests; taking place in 28 cities, with thousands of parents, students and carers, I knew that there was no piece of news more important and worthier of the extra time.

As a result of funding cuts, which have seen special needs provision in England drop by £1,200,000,000 (yes I am writing a billion as a number to emphasize how big it is), students in need of extra support across the U.K. have lost out on everything from Teaching Assistants to entire educational centres.

This has resulted in many parents withdrawing their children from mainstream schools, only to find themselves with no alternative and for forced into a situation where they must sacrifice their careers to home educate (a subject I plan to dedicate an entire article to later this month). As such, the SEND protests (bringing with them a 13,000 strong petition) have marched to draw attention and demand action on these cuts.

However, while its impact can be seen, the sorry state of the current government means that, once again, those most vulnerable in society are  likely to play second fiddle to other, more urgent, matters – like who’s our Prime Minister even going to be next month?

Carry on the Conversation

What would you like to see discussed at INSAR 2020? Let me know in the comments below. And, if you would like to hear more about U.K. autism-related protests (for some reason) then why not check out my Top 5 Pieces of Autism News for March 2019

As always, I can also be found on Twitter @AutismRevised and via my email: AutisticandUnapologetic@gmail.com.

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Thank you for reading and I will see you next Saturday for more thoughts from across the spectrum.