Hello, I am Rebecca Maguire, a Primary School teacher of 11 years. I have worked throughout Foundation Stage, Key Stage One and Two. For many children, school is an exciting time, a time to meet new friends, a time to learn new skills and a time for them to explore the world around them.

However, this is not the way many children see it. Children with autism can find school a confusing and overwhelming place. A place where the unknown is scary, a place where talking to others is unimaginable.

Throughout my years teaching, I have learnt that, like anyone in this world, people with autism are all unique. I know that each child needs to be supported to meet their individual needs. Like any child, they need to be heard. A child with autism should not be labelled, but understood. Society needs to be educated and to be more aware, so that we can understand autism rather than the perception that is so often used.

This week is an excellent opportunity for us all to make ourselves aware and develop our understanding of autism so that we may become a more inclusive society and that our children with autism can grow into happy, confident, understood adults.

I have had the privilege of working with students with autism as a classroom assistant, subject teacher and currently as a specialist support teacher.

The most important thing I have learnt is that everyone is unique. If you know one person with autism you know one person. Autism is a spectrum and although students with a diagnosis of autism can share common characteristics and traits, it’s important to remember that everyone is different. Strategies that works for one person, does not always work for another.

The most satisfying part of my job is spending time with students, working with them and other staff to discuss their personal needs, helping them overcome the challenges they face.

‘If they can’t learn the way we teach them, we teach the way they learn’

- Dr O Ivar Lovaas.

Hi everyone! I’m Hannah McCauley, a Specialist Support Teacher at Edmund Rice College and I’m delighted that we are celebrating ‘Autism Awareness Week’ during this strange and uncertain time.

I remember studying and writing many essays in university about autism; what it is, what signs to look out for, how to teach a child with autism and many other aspects. Before experiencing my first job in a primary school I thought I was prepared and had all the answers… but no, I definitely did not!

Putting my training into practice only got me so far but my real learning experience came from the pupils themselves. A person with autism is a person with many skills and attributes that we may never have known or never have experienced. I have learned that each person with autism is unique and has their own magnificent and wonderful way in which they encounter the world we live in…it’s time for us to sit back, listen and learn!

Autism Awareness Week highlights the importance of inclusion, the importance of understanding and the importance of treating everyone equally. Sometimes the ‘negatives’ of autism are at the forefront of our minds, but what would happen if we focused on the positives? (There are so many!)

I’m learning each and every day about the wonderful world of autism and I find this week an excellent opportunity to celebrate something spectacular. I feel very honoured to learn from all my pupils and my aim is to build my knowledge further in order to create the best learning environment for each and every pupil.

“Autism is like a rainbow. It has a bright side and a darker side. But every shade is important and beautiful” – Rosie Tennant Doran

Hello, I am Michell Graham. I have worked in Edmund Rice College from April 2018. During my time here I have worked with many children as a Special Needs Assistant. I love my job and find it extremely rewarding, knowing that I can make a difference and create a positive learning environment. Although it may be challenging knowing and understanding the needs of the children I work with, it is crucial to my role.

I try to make the classroom a fun and enjoyable experience so that each pupil can thrive in their learning. Supporting children with autism has made me aware that we are all unique, all different and as a classroom assistant, it challenges me to adapt my support to help the needs of every single pupil.

Autism awareness week is a really incredible time for us to engage, recognise and support each other in our knowledge of autism. Throughout ‘Autism Awareness Week’ we can all learn something! This week challenges us all to do more, to listen more, understand and help raise awareness in our society today.

Hello, my name is Mrs Mouncey and I have been a Classroom Assistant here at Edmund Rice College from 2017. During this time, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with children with Autism. I am delighted that we are celebrating Autism Awareness Week as I personally feel that I have become more understanding and aware of the importance of accepting autism in our society today. Inclusion is extremely important in order for all of us to grow. This week gives us all the opportunity to share our own experiences and to highlight the importance of being aware. The true power of autism is invaluable. Many of the people I have met with autism have opened my eyes to different ways of thinking, different skills and different talents. Every person with autism is different and my aim is to grow in my knowledge and understanding and to always be the best classroom assistant that I can be.