Release date: 19 November 2025
Autistic school pupils and their allies came together to celebrate their unique strengths and talents at two inspiring roadshow events organised by West Sussex County Council.
Approximately 230 people have attended events in Burgess Hill, Crawley and at individual schools, which aimed to promote positive messages about autism in schools and ensure that autistic perspectives are heard, understood, and acted upon across West Sussex.
The events were co-produced by student-led autism ambassador groups and centred around the theme ‘Calming the Chaos’. They offered wellbeing advice and resilience methods that autistic children and young people can use to self-regulate, or which can be used by neurotypical classmates to help those who are neurodivergent.
A highlights video featuring contributions from children and young people who attended, as well as education professionals, is available to watch on the West Sussex County Council YouTube channel.
WATCH: Highlights from ‘Calming the Chaos’
The roadshow events, held last month at The King’s Centre in Burgess Hill and The Charis Centre in Crawley, were part of the Autism In Schools project. This collaborative initiative between NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board and West Sussex County Council started in 2021 to improve the support for autistic children in mainstream schools.
Among the speakers were author and illustrator Eliza Fricker, and Dan Clark from MindJam, who demonstrated how gaming can be a powerful tool for young people to manage their emotions and navigate neurodivergence.
The events also welcomed representatives from the West Sussex Parent Carer Forum, who were on hand to answer questions and offer support to families.
Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said: “I’m delighted that autistic children and young people have been given a voice and an engaging platform to celebrate the very things that make them so unique.
“Events such as this are key to achieving Our Council Plan’s aim of helping everyone in West Sussex fulfil their potential. Supporting our neurodivergent pupils, along with their neurotypical peers, is crucial for teaching all students how to effectively help and understand one another.”
Dr Bikram Raychaudhuri, GP and NHS Sussex Clinical Director for Mental Health, said: “The roadshow events have been a wonderful celebration of the creativity, insight and resilience that autistic children and young people bring to our communities.
“Events like these, and the wider Autism in Schools work, show how powerful partnership can be. When education and health teams work together with families, we move beyond awareness to real inclusion. Focusing on strengths lays the foundations for wellbeing that last far beyond the school environment.”
Anyone interested in learning more about autism ambassador groups – or starting one – can contact Jane Crawford from the county council’s Autism and Social Communication Team at jane.crawford@westsussex.gov.uk
