April is World Autism month; this is a critical international event that promotes awareness and advocacy for the rights of individuals with autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour, and it is estimated that 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with autism, making it one of the most prevalent developmental disorders worldwide.

This year, World Autism Day’s theme was "Empowering Autistic Women and Girls," focusing on improving the lives of females on the autism spectrum, who often face unique challenges and barriers to accessing appropriate support and services.

This month is an opportunity for us to reflect on the challenges individuals with autism face and recognize their incredible resilience and strength. We believe that every child deserves a safe, comfortable, and sensory-friendly space that meets their unique needs, and we are committed to helping families create these spaces for their loved ones with autism.

Through our partnership with Side-by-Side Early Intervention Centre last year, we had the privilege of working with Josephine, a sweet and gentle girl who has autism and is non-verbal. Creating a sensory-friendly space for a non-verbal child with autism can be particularly challenging, but we were able to create a space that met Josephine's unique needs and provided her with the support she needs to thrive. In our Pimp My Shack Season 3 episode three, we displayed the transformation of Josephine's space and highlight the importance of sensory-friendly design for children with autism.

We believe that every child, regardless of their abilities, deserves a safe and comfortable space that meets their unique needs. By creating these spaces for children with autism, we are promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion in our community. If you'd like to witness the incredible transformation of Princess Josephine's space, you can watch it on our YouTube channel at the following link: https://youtu.be/Aau-Y9HTQHo

We hope that Josephine's story inspires others to create similar spaces for children with autism, promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion in our community. Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey as we empower and celebrate autistic women and girls and highlight the importance of sensory-friendly design for children with autism. Let us make a positive impact in our community and celebrate the incredible resilience and strength of individuals with autism!