As part of World Autism Awareness Month, Highfield Prep School held an Autism Awareness Day last week which included a special visit by Autism Angels.
Autism Angels is a local charity, which uses horses to help people understand how to communicate and get along with those on the autistic spectrum. As part of the visit to Highfield, they brought two of their ponies, Rocky and Blackjack with them to meet the children.
The children learnt how their voices, gestures and touch can impact on both horses and those with sensory challenges.
The aim of the day was to help the children to gain an understanding of autism and how they can adapt their own behaviour to help someone with autism feel more comfortable.
Highfield teacher, Andrew Hart, who organised the day said:
Often even as adults people aren’t comfortable with the idea of autism and what it really means. The idea of the Autism Awareness Day was to help the children to learn about autism and to understand how they can positively impact on the lives of those on the autistic spectrum. I hope that the lessons learnt today will stay with the children for the rest of their lives.
Pupils and staff also dressed in blue for the day and attended a special assembly led by pupils Ben and Natasha Holt who explained what they had learnt about autism following their brother’s diagnosis.
A sponsored hobby horse race and cake stall were also part of the dedicated Autism Awareness Day at the school with all money raised going to support the work of Autism Angels.
More information about Autism Angels can be found at: www.autismangels.co.uk
