Every April, autistic people and members of the autism community campaign to raise awareness, improve understanding and cultivate acceptance of autistic people in society. The initiative is known as Autism Acceptance Month and was founded by autistic disability rights activist Paula C Durbin-Westby in 2011. In honour of Autism Acceptance Month, here is a selection of ten engaging, insightful, and neuro-affirmative books about autism for young readers. Affirmative portrayals of autism in literature are essential for enhancing our collective understanding of the autistic experience. This belief is what inspired me to write my own novel, Freya Harte is Not a Puzzle (for age 13+), which was published by the O’Brien Press last month. Written from my own autistic perspective, it tells the story of a teenage girl learning to embrace her autistic self. Like the other books listed here, I hope it is an enjoyable and insightful read. Happy Autism Acceptance Month!
Cheltenham Science Festival announces unique hybrid line-up for 2021
With 64 live events and more than 50 free online events, the line-up for the four-day hybrid Cheltenham Science Festival 2021 has been unveiled – with some big stars from the science world, including professor Brian Cox.
Professor Brian Cox will be joining a diverse line-up at 2021’s hybrid Cheltenham Science Festival.
The UK’s leading scientists, writers and activists are coming together for Cheltenham Science Festival, one of the first post-lockdown festivals of 2021.
The hybrid festival will be taking place online and in person from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 June 2021, with the diverse line-up including Professor Brian Cox, Hannah Fry, Dallas Campbell, Claudia Hammond, Adam Rutherford, Helen Czerski and many more, as well as the next generation of STEM professionals.