A STUDENT at The Sixth Form College, Solihull organised an awareness campaign for autism.
Jessica Smith organised an awareness and fundraising event for Autism by supporting the national Silly Sock Day campaign.
Staff and students came into College wearing their most outrageous socks to support the campaign.
Jessica had put together an information stand in the Refectory with educational information on ASD, Aspergers and ADHD, including details of famous people who manage the conditions themselves.
Staff, including outgoing Principal Paul Ashdown and incoming Principal Martin Sullivan, were among the staff to support the event.
Jessica Smith said: “Many people think people with autism are your stereotypical Sheldon Cooper type (from The Big Bang Theory), but we’re all different.
“Silly Sock Day is a great way to show how different people with autism can be – the spectrum is more like a pie chart than a line which many people believe.
“This means people like us on the spectrum can be misunderstood or misplaced in certain circumstances.
“Caroline Sweeney, Julie Maitland and Jane Butterfield have been amazing in helping me organise this event.
“It was wonderful seeing so many staff and students involved in supporting a good cause and I hope it has helped open the eyes of members of the College on how diverse and unique autism can be.”
Paul Ashdown said: “It’s great to see students like Jessica so motivated by a cause.
“Putting some silly socks on is a bit of fun, but if it gets more of our students thinking about autism and understanding it better, then it’s also got an important meaning behind it.”
The event had the support of the Student Development Officers at College, who work to support a host of extra-curricular activities at College, ranging from student societies to faith meetings to charity events.
They also support the Student Council and Student Health Ambassadors.
The latter produce regular health and wellbeing campaigns to raise awareness about healthy living.
