Guide Abbie set to educate hundreds of children

A 10-YEAR-OLD Guide from Earley has launched a campaign to educate other children about neurodiversity.

Abbie Shakespeare is autistic and is raising awareness because she feels many don’t understand what it is or how it affects people.

Neurodiversity is a term used to describe a range of neurological differences including autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and Tourette’s.

She says she was inspired to make a difference and get her voice heard in a bid to earn her Campaigning badge at Guides.

“I wanted to earn my Campaigning badge at Guides because it’s really important to me to teach people about neurodiversity,” said Abbie, who is a member of 1st Shinfield Guides. “It’s something that people don’t really talk about.

“A lot of people who have these conditions struggle, and it’s not easy for them. Some people think I’m weird, but I know it’s ok to be different. It would be really boring if everyone was the same.”

Diagnosed with autism when she was six, Abbie is classed as high functioning.

“Autism means your brain is wired differently,” she said. “Some children with the condition can’t even talk, so I want to use my voice on their behalf to explain more about it.”

The Campaigning badge encourages Guides – the section of Girlguiding for girls aged 10 to 14to try and get their voices heard by people in power, and make change happen.

While Abbie is planning to deliver a presentation to her fellow pupils at Hawkedon Primary in Lower Earley to earn her badge, she doesn’t feel confident enough to stand up in assembly.

So instead she has recorded a video presentation for them to watch which will be shown during Neurodiversity Celebration Week, which runs from March 13-19.

Within her presentation, Abbie