Recognising Autism Awareness Day

This week, we joined communities worldwide in recognising Autism Awareness Day - a time to celebrate the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of individuals with autism. At Essendon North Primary School, inclusion is at the heart of what we do, and this occasion is an important reminder that awareness is just the first step in a much larger journey.

While awareness is important, inclusion goes beyond simply knowing about autism. Acceptance, appreciation, and advocacy are key to ensuring that our school is a place where students with autism feel safe, valued, and supported every day. One helpful framework we have been considering is Autism Level Up - the idea that wherever we are in our personal or professional journey, we can always take the next step. Whether that means learning more about neurodiversity, adapting our communication styles, or creating more inclusive spaces, every action we take helps build a school community where everyone belongs.

What’s Next? 

At ENPS, we are committed to ongoing learning and growth. As part of this, we encourage our community to take a small but meaningful action this week to deepen our understanding and support for autistic individuals. We invite our community to explore the "Reframing Autism" website (www.reframingautism.org.au). This Australian-based resource is led by individuals with autism and offers insights, articles, and videos that help build understanding and appreciation of autism through a neuro-affirming lens. We also value your personal experiences. If you are part of our school community and would like to share your insights and perspectives, we warmly invite you to reach out - we would love to hear from you.

Thanks for being part of our journey,

The ENPS Inclusion Team

Serena Walker, Kathryn Tanaskovski, Connor Smith and Kate Barletta