Community Bands Together for World Autism Awareness Day in Essex

BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH, England — This April 2, the town of Burnham-on-Crouch near Maldon, Essex, is turning blue in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day. Local schools and businesses participated in the day by wearing autism-themed T-shirts to raise awareness about the condition and promote acceptance.

James Hunt, the event’s organizer and a father of two autistic boys, emphasized the importance of ongoing education about autism. “For people who are autistic or for their families – we’re pushing for this 365 days a year; it’s not just about one day,” he said in an interview with BBC News.

At Burnham-on-Crouch Primary School, over 40 pupils donned special T-shirts, and the profits earned will benefit the school’s special educational needs department. Fiona Goodbrand, the school’s SEN co-ordinator, expressed gratitude for the support. “We’re really proud to be involved; we think it’s very exciting the whole town is coming together,” she stated.

Teachers at Burnham-on-Crouch Primary and Ormiston Rivers Academy are also participating by wearing similar shirts. Numerous local businesses, including coffee shops and estate agents, joined in the efforts as well.

Hunt noted that these events are intended to provide a platform for autistic individuals to feel more accepted within their communities. He shared, “There’s been many times over the years where I’ve felt quite alone and felt judged by onlookers. We hope this helps people realize that there are others who understand and want to foster a more inclusive environment.”

With more than 330,000 followers on his Instagram account, Stories About Autism, Hunt shares his experiences and insights on parenting autistic children. He has also launched a clothing line promoting positive messaging about autism and neurodiversity. In discussing the challenges faced by autistic individuals, Hunt highlighted significant systemic issues: “There’s thousands of kids without a school place who are autistic; there’s two-year-plus waiting lists for autism diagnoses – and then autistic kids become autistic adults, and there’s less than 30% of autistic adults in employment.”

According to Hunt, raising awareness is crucial, but more comprehensive solutions are essential. “These days are great at raising awareness and making society more conscious of the existence of autistic people, but there’s so much more that needs to be done,” he said.