Autism Hampshire

13/04/2026

🏃‍♂️ Meet Richard – running the London Marathon for Avenues and Autism Hampshire

For Richard, this isn’t just about 26.2 miles. It’s about raising awareness, building understanding, and supporting autistic people and their families to feel connected, confident and included. 💙

As both a parent of two autistic sons and someone working closely with the community, Richard sees first-hand the difference support can make — and now he’s taking on this incredible challenge to give back.

👉 Read Richard’s full story and support his fundraising journey: https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/meet-richard-london-marathon

Every donation helps create more inclusive communities and brighter futures.

12/04/2026

📸 Take a look through our lens…

Our talented members from the Walk and Talk New Forest group have been busy capturing some truly beautiful moments 🌿💚 — and now you can see them too!

We’ve just launched our brand new Flickr account, where these stunning photos are being shared. From peaceful landscapes to little details in nature, there’s plenty to enjoy.

👉 Head over to our profile to explore the gallery: www.flickr.com/people/autismhampshire/

👣 Would you like to take part?
Our Walk and Talk group is just one of many friendly, welcoming Serendipity social groups we offer.

Whether you’re looking to connect with others, enjoy the outdoors, or try something new — there’s a place for you.

👉 Visit our website to discover our groups and find out how to sign up: www.autismhampshire.org.uk/how-we-can-help/serendipity-social-groups/

11/04/2026

🥊 Good luck, Katie! 💙

This weekend, Katie Dickson will be stepping into the ring for her Ultra White Collar Boxing fight — taking on a challenge completely outside her comfort zone to raise funds for Autism Hampshire.

Inspired by her mum’s work supporting autistic people and their families, Katie has spent the last eight weeks training hard for this moment. Her courage, determination and commitment to making a difference are truly inspiring.

We’re all cheering you on, Katie! 👏

If you’d like to support Katie and help raise vital funds for Autism Hampshire, please consider making a donation. Every contribution makes a difference.

👉 Donate here: https://givestar.io/gs/ultra-white-collar-boxing-fundraising-4262

10/04/2026

🧠💛 Autism & the interoceptive system

Autistic people may experience the interoceptive system differently—this is the sense that helps us understand what’s happening inside our bodies. It includes signals like hunger, thirst, heart rate, emotions, pain, and temperature. It plays a huge role in self-regulation, wellbeing, and daily decision-making

🌟 Interoceptive strengths
• Strong awareness of body signals & emotions
• Deep emotional insight (self & others)
• Recognising needs early (rest, hydration, stress)
• Strong connection to movement, health & routine
• Clear sense of what the body needs to feel regulated

⚡ Interoceptive differences
• Missing early signs (hunger, thirst, toilet needs)
• Feeling sensations very intensely (pain, anxiety, temperature)
• Difficulty linking body signals to emotions
• Sudden overwhelm when needs aren’t noticed early
• Pain or discomfort may present differently

🧩 Every autistic person’s internal experience is unique

🤝 Be an ally
✔️ Support regular check-ins (food, water, rest)
✔️ Be patient with emotional processing
✔️ Understand pain may present differently
✔️ Create calm, predictable environments
✔️ Listen to lived experience

Because understanding what’s happening inside matters 💛

Find out more or support us - https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/

09/04/2026

We were proud to join That's TV Hampshire to talk about Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Day — shining a light on the importance of understanding and awareness.

At Autism Hampshire and Avenues Group, we’re committed to listening, learning, and supporting autistic people to live the lives they choose — not just this month, but every day.

Take a moment to watch the interview and hear how, together, we can create a more inclusive world.

08/04/2026

👂✨ Not everyone hears the world the same way

The auditory system helps us process sound - speech, music, background noise, and more.
It shapes how we communicate, focus, feel, and stay safe.

For neurodivergent people, sound can be a strength AND a challenge 💛

🎶 Strengths
Noticing details others miss
Strong musical ability & rhythm
Deep listening & focus
Powerful sound memory
Connecting sound with movement & emotion

⚡ Differences
Background noise can be overwhelming
Sudden or high-pitched sounds may feel painful
Busy environments can be exhausting
Processing sound may take longer
Some need silence… others need background noise to focus

Different doesn’t mean less - It means a different way of experiencing the world.

🤝 Be an ally
✔️ Reduce overwhelming noise
✔️ Offer quiet or controlled sound options
✔️ Be patient with processing time
✔️ Listen to lived experience

💬

Find out more or support us: https://autismhampshire.org.uk/

07/04/2026

🌈 Sensory Awareness Week: Understanding Our Senses

Did you know our bodies rely on different sensory systems to help us move, feel, and connect with the world?

💪 Proprioception (body awareness) helps us understand where our body is, how much force to use, and supports coordination, balance, and emotional regulation.

🔄 Vestibular (balance & movement) helps us stay upright, navigate space, and regulate how alert or calm we feel.

👁️ Visual (sight) helps us interpret the world—recognising patterns, colours, movement, and guiding our actions.

For many autistic people, these sensory systems can feel different—and those differences often come with incredible strengths 💙

✨ Strong physical awareness and resilience
✨ A love of movement and adventure
✨ Exceptional attention to detail and creativity

At Autism Hampshire, we celebrate these differences and encourage understanding, inclusion, and support.

💡 Be an ally:
✔️ Create space for movement and sensory breaks
✔️ Recognise strengths as well as differences
✔️ Listen to lived experience

Let’s build a world that works for every sensory profile.

Find out more or support us - https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/

07/04/2026

07/04/2026

🎉 WIN a 3-Night Off-Peak Stay at Meadow Bay Villages! 🎉

Looking for a getaway with the family or maybe a relaxing break? 🌿 You could win a 3-night off-peak stay in a 2-bedroom bronze holiday home at Meadow Bay Villages in Hampshire!

💙 This raffle supports Autism Hampshire – helping create a better future for autistic people and their families across Hampshire.

🎟️ Tickets are just £5 (1 ticket = 1 entry)
🔞 You must be 18+ to enter
📅 Winner announced: 01.05.26

✨ Running throughout Autism Acceptance Month
💯 100% of proceeds go directly to Autism Hampshire’s charitable work

👉 Enter here:
https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/win-a-3-night-off-peak-stay-at-meadow-bay-villages

Avenues Group

06/04/2026

Neurodivergent people can experience the world very differently due to variations in how their brains process sensory information.

These differences can appear as: Hyper-sensitivities (over-responsiveness) & Hypo-sensitivities (under-responsiveness)

Sometimes this can create challenges - but it can also be the source of incredible strengths, skills, and creative potential 🌍

Hyper-sensitive (over-responsive)

Strengths:
🎨 Notices fine detail, patterns, and visual changes
🎶 Picks up subtle sounds, tone, and rhythm
🌸 Strong awareness of smells and environmental changes
🤲 Deep appreciation for textures and comfort
🍽️ Refined palate and strong taste awareness
⚖️ Excellent balance and physical control
🧠 Strong body and emotional awareness

⚠️ Challenges may include:
Bright lights, noise, smells, textures, or movement feeling overwhelming, intense, or even painful

Hypo-sensitive (under-responsive)

Strengths:
🌈 Thrives in busy, colourful environments
🎧 Enjoys loud, fast-paced spaces
🌶️ Seeks bold flavours and sensory-rich experiences
🏃‍♂️ Loves movement, activity, and “heavy work”
💪 Strong coordination and physical engagement
🧘 Calm under physical pressure or intensity

⚠️ Challenges may include:
Missing cues like sound, temperature, hunger, or pain—and needing stronger input to feel regulated

🤝 Be an ally

✔️ Sensory experiences are not “good” or “bad”—they are differences
✔️ Everyone has sensory preferences (it’s the intensity that varies)
✔️ Hyper- and hypo-sensitivities can co-exist—even within the same sense

Understanding sensory differences helps us build more inclusive, supportive spaces where everyone can thrive 💛

Find out more, support us or get involved - https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/

06/04/2026

🌈 It’s Sensory Week!

As part of Autism Acceptance Month, from 6–10 April we’re celebrating the many ways people experience the world through their senses 💛

✨ Learn more
✨ Test your knowledge
✨ Join the conversation
✨ Share your experience using

💬 “My sensory profile brings me a lot of joy! Bright colours and patterns make my heart feel happy and dopamine dressing helps me feel good and express myself. 🌈 Firm, reassuring touch like tight hugs and my weighted blanket helps me feel safe and grounded, while soft fabrics like cosy jackets and fleecy blankets bring me comfort and calm. 🧸 I feel emotions deeply and am very attuned to the feelings of others. I’ve learned to see that sensitivity as a strength as it helps me notice when others need support so I can respond with empathy and care. 💛”
— Jem Hack, Serendipity

Let’s listen, learn, and be better allies—because every sensory experience matters. 💫

05/04/2026

Autism Acceptance Month is about more than awareness-it’s about action.

Together, Autism Hampshire and Avenues Group are:
💜 Supporting people to live independently
💜 Strengthening communities
💜 Challenging barriers and perceptions

👉 Be part of the change:
🔗 https://www.avenuesgroup.org.uk/ https://autismhampshire.org.uk/

Together we can:
Know More. Do More. Be an Ally.