Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that describes the natural differences in how people’s brains work. Every human has a unique neurological makeup, so in that sense, we are all neurodiverse. Within this broader idea, neurodivergence refers to brain function and behavioural traits that differ from what is typically expected by societal norms. This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia.

Autism

Autism influences how people experience and interact with the world. It is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability. Autistic people are different from each other, but for a diagnosis they must share differences from non-autistic people in how they think, feel and communicate. There are three main charactertistics associated with an autism diagnosis; social and communication, behaviours and interests and sensory processing. It is important to understand how any of these characteristics may require adaptions to support someone in their activity. 

You can find a general overview of autism and what this means on the National Autistic Society's (NAS) website. Clubs/centres/coaches can also find some useful information on how to suport someone with autism in sport on this page of the NAS website. 

BWSW partnered with the NAS to deliver online awareness workshops for our members to develop their understanding of autism in order to ensure our community is confident when welcoming someone with autism to our sport. We have developed storyboard cards as an alternative communication tool for our clubs/centres/coaches to use when introducing a new participant with autism to our sport.