Autism Acceptance Month: Championing neurodiversity with tailored support
April is Autism Acceptance Month – and we want to highlight the importance of respect, inclusion and acceptance on our healthy lifestyle programmes.
We know everyone’s journey towards healthier habits is different. And for people with a neurodiverse condition and their families, it can feel like there are additional barriers to getting support.
But that’s where we can help!
From food aversion counselling to programmes just for people with disabilities, here’s how we ensure inclusive and accessible support for everyone.
Inclusive healthy lifestyle programmes
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Our Beezee Families programme provides fun, free lifestyle support for local families in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including those with additional health needs like autism.
Families can also access one-to-one health coaching from our dedicated Family Support Worker, who provides tailored support based on each child’s needs. For children with autism, this often includes food aversion support, which helps little ones feel comfortable as they discover yummy new meals.
In Oxfordshire, we work with local charities to deliver our Beezee Adults pilot programme, which provides eight weeks of personalised health and wellbeing support for people with learning disabilities or neurodiverse conditions.
The programme has been co-produced within the community – created for people with disabilities, by people with disabilities. And that means we cover the topics that matter most, like balanced eating, understanding food labels and the importance of getting enough sleep.
Hounslow & Brent
We know attending in-person workshops can feel daunting – especially for children with autism.
That’s why our family-focussed lifestyle programme, Beezee Families, has been designed to be autism friendly, incorporating tools like fidget toys and colouring materials to create a comfortable, engaging environment.
Families can also access one-to-one support and be signposted to additional local services across Hounslow and Brent. Our goal is to foster confidence, interaction and inclusivity amongst all children – and create a relaxed space for parents and carers to meet.
We also provide personalised support for families in Gloucester, with tailored programmes for children aged 4 to 12, as well as teenagers aged 13 to 17.
Beezee Families encourages the whole family to discover new healthy habits together, whilst Beezee Youth focuses on health and wellbeing topics that are important to young people, like body image and exam stress.
Both programmes can be accessed through in-person or online group sessions and include one-to-one support from our Family Support Worker or a dedicated SEND Coordinator.
Our Beezee Families programme is also delivered in Waltham Forest, where we again take additional steps to make sure everyone feels comfortable during our in-person sessions. This includes providing sensory toys and adjustable seating options, as well as taking the time to understand every child’s specific triggers, such as certain food aversions.
Not only does this create a more welcoming environment for each child, but also helps their wider family feel more comfortable and relaxed during the session.
Finally, our Beezee Adults programme in Birmingham is specifically designed for people aged over 16 who have a disability, learning difficulty or neurodiverse condition.
From eating balanced meals to getting more active, we set manageable SMART goals to help people develop long-term healthy habits. Our aim is to create an inclusive and supportive space that meets the needs of adults with complex health needs like autism – helping them take small steps towards a happier, healthier lifestyle.
Supporting individuals with autism
Our commitment to helping people with autism goes beyond a month-long celebration.
We are here to make sure everyone feels comfortable and included during their health journey with us, with tailored support and personalised adjustments that create a welcoming environment for every child, teenager and adult on our programmes.
Find out more about our inclusive health and wellbeing support.
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