Kildare students hold Autism walk

STUDENTS and teachers in Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen took part in a Same Chance Walk for Autism, as part of their activities in the Autism Awareness Month organised by the AsIAm charity.

The walk took them around the Kilcullen GAA Field of Dreams community walking track, and afterwards they assembled in the school's outside basketball court to form the words 'As I Am' for an aerial drone photograph.

The participating students, from the 1st Year and TY classes, numbered over 200. They carried signs with the social media #SameChance Autism slogan.

Last autumn, CPC students won a national Autism award at a Cineáltas (Kindness) Showcase event held in Croke Park.

They were one of only five post-primary schools in the country to receive the award — in their case in the category of Innovative Initiative, as recognition of the Buddy Club introduced at the college during the 2023-2024 year.

That involved the 27 prefects in Transition Year spending time with students of the Autism classes at social times. They also organised events during the year, notably at Halloween, Christmas, Easter and a summer party.

AsIAm was founded in 2014 and is Autistic-led, dedicated to working for Autistic people and their families. Their work is aimed at empowering and supporting Autistic people to reach their full potential, while simultaneously challenging society to be fully accepting and accessible to every Autistic person.

The charity run child and family support programmes as well as Adult Support and Wellbeing programmes which provide safe and relaxed support spaces for Autistic children and adults. 

They also issue Autism ID Cards to help people of all ages to navigate their daily routines, and operate an Autism Information Line Monday-Thursday from 10am-3pm for Autism specific information and signposting.

AsIAm say one in 20 school-going children in Ireland are Autistic.