Our next Free Dress day will be held on Thursday 11 April and the theme will be
“Go Blue for Autism”. April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day and marks the start of Autism Awareness month in Australia. To learn more about Autism and the
Go Blue for Autism campaign,
READ MORE.

WHAT IS AUTISM?
When someone has
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it means that their brains are wired differently to other people. However the symptoms of ASD vary enormously from person to person.
People with ASD find it difficult to interact socially and communicate with others. As they often have difficulty understanding what other people are feeling and what interests' others, they might say the wrong thing.
They might talk for a long time about a topic they really like, as they are unaware that the topic is of no interest to others. They may not use gestures and body language, in the way that other people do. For example they may not use eye contact and may not smile. However, their ability to communicate can vary tremendously, with some people with Autism having no or limited speech, and others having extensive vocabularies.
Although people with ASD can find it difficult to talk to people and make friends, they still have the same emotions as anybody else and love to have friends, even if it’s hard.
People with ASD also like things to happen the same way. They might take the same route to school or the shops, or line up their toys in a particular order. If something is out of place or if routines change without warning, they can get upset or worried.
They may also be bothered by sudden loud sounds, bright lights or unexpected touch that do not bother others. They may become upset if someone hugs them or talks too quickly or loudly.
They often have intense interests in particular topics and may be extremely knowledgeable about their special interest areas. They can also have an amazing memory for detail.
Every person with Autism is different to another and has their own way of seeing the world, which makes them interesting and unique.
ASD is a complex, lifelong developmental disability that affects a person's ability to communicate, interact with others and cope in everyday situations. The cause of ASD is not fully understood, but structured early intervention, therapy and education delivered by professionals with expertise in ASD can make a significant difference. At Beldon PS and Beldon ESC we work hand in hand to support our students with ASD.
Come in BLUE and bring a gold coin donation to support this cause. All money raised goes towards helping those living with ASD.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND GO BLUE FOR AUTISM!