Sunday 2nd April is World Autism Awareness Day. Autism is a developmental condition that affects approximately 1 in 100 people, leading to differences in social communication and interaction, as well as repetitive and restrictive behaviours and interests. Autistic people often experience sensory symptoms – which might include heightened sensitivity to fluorescent lights or the texture of foods, or being less sensitive to sounds or touch. These sensory symptoms have big impacts on everyday life. But we still don’t really know why these symptoms occur, or how to support people on the spectrum to manage them.
Dr Catherine Manning is conducting research in the Experimental Psychology department to understand more about how autistic individuals process sensory information. Catherine is organising a film screening of ‘X+Y’ at the Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP) to mark World Autism Awareness Day, in conjunction with the ‘Brain Diaries' exhibition at Oxford's Natural History Museum. The film tells the story of a teenager on the autism spectrum who competes at the International Mathematical Olympiad. The film will be followed by a Q&A discussion with autism experts.
It will take place on Sunday April 2nd at 5.30pm. Entrance is free. Please come along!!