To celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week and World Autism Month, Cognus hosted a programme of events designed to support families, build understanding, and promote acceptance of autism and wider neurodiversity. Throughout March and April, our teams offered a range of workshops and informal sessions for parents and carers, each focused on practical strategies, shared experiences, and strengthening confidence.
Autism Family Event
If you’ve ever gone to the farm or softplay in the school holidays, you’ll know it can be an interesting experience! Everywhere is busy, noisy and overwhelming and even safe places become overstimulating, so often families with autistic children end up staying at home.
So, during the Easter holidays we hosted an inclusive event for Sutton families with autistic young people. The aim of the event was to provide a welcoming space for families who often feel excluded from school holiday activities. We had a range of activities on offer from sensory and messy play, arts and crafts, duplo, cars and musical exploration. Over 30 families attended, often with siblings too, meaning they could have a fun trip out where the whole family was welcome.
The parents summed it up best:
My son didn’t leave the messy play, for the second year running! My daughter enjoyed the arts and craft room
We loved everything, I appreciated the email with the pictures to prep my child. I loved how friendly everyone was and engaging with the activities.
I think it was a lovely opportunity for children to be seen and catered for in a thoughtful way.
Just a massive thank you for yet another amazing inclusive workshop.
This has been the best SEN session that we’ve been to this Easter holiday so far!
