Bluff Point Primary School students take part in inaugural World Autism Understanding Day celebration

Staff and students at Bluff Point Primary School came together on Thursday for a day of unity and understanding.

The school spent the day decorating a tree and fence with rainbow fabrics that symbolise the diversity of autism as they celebrated World Autism Understanding Day, which was officially marked on Sunday.

When asked why it was important to celebrate days like this, 11-year-old Shyleigh Saunders said: “Some people feel left out because they think they’re different, but they’re not, they are the same as the rest of us.”

Collectively the children were able to raise more than $100 from their free dress day gold coin donations for the Autism Association of Western Australia.

It was the school’s inaugural Autism Understanding Day celebration and staff were rapt with the results.

Lead special needs education assistant Kylie Rosser said the kids loved the day and the school could not wait to continue it and make it a tradition.

It comes as a part of the growing awareness of neurodiversity in schools, acting as an event to educate and celebrate the “uniqueness, intelligence and mystery of autism,” Mrs Rosser says.

Over the weekend, the City of Greater Geraldton celebrated the occasion and showed its support for the cause when it lit up the Queens Palace Theatre in pink lights as part of the #lightupthespectrum initiative. The measure hopes to raise awareness for the Autism Association of Western Australia.