Jingle Jam 2024 has commenced! The start of two weeks of silly fun for a good cause.

In our house Jingle Jam is a tradition. I look forward to 1st December every year, with the first streams officially marking the festive season. The build up to Christmas holidays would just not be the same without it.

This year I donated once again to Autistica, which is the UK’s leading autism research and campaigning charity. (You can also support them with a Jingle Jam donation through this link). Below are a few thoughts on why I think Autistica is important:

As some readers will know, I have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While I am labelled as high-functioning, on parts of the spectrum I have been diagnosed as clinically severe. With my particular ASD comes many strengths as well as numerous challenges and complications. Being diagnosed later in life, it is difficult to fully describe the impact of this diagnosis and what it meant in the context of my life. It helped me access the appropriate support that I need, and it opened up possibilities that once were out of reach – like attending university. In a very literal and direct sense, without the right support I would not have been able to study theoretical physics in a formal academic environment; nor would I have the possibility of a future career. It simply would not have been sustainable, much like with my other past experiences in formal education environments. I would have instead remained working on my maths and physics and other studies independently and on my own. There are also many other examples in day to day life, where having the right support has been incredibly important for me. I can also say that learning about autism, and how it presents itself for me, has been a lengthy process (perhaps it is a lifelong one) in better understanding myself, like when I am overstimulated or when I need certain stimulus. This process has been aided by many supporting people. The same can also be said about help others better understand me, and thus helping me have healthy relationships. (I have written a rough draft of an essay on living with Asperger’s, should one care to read. I also gave an interview with the Institute of Physics, where I discuss a bit about this).

Of course, autism affects each individual differently. Some people require a lot more support than I do, others less. But I would venture to estimate that the majority of people with ASD would say that having the right support is life changing. Unfortunately, in the present social and economic system, many with ASD are left behind or abandoned. Even with a clinical diagnosis, they do not receive the support they need. Additionally, many different studies have shown that autistic people are much more likely to consider suicide and to struggle with mental health issues. Many face barriers to employment (with just 3 in 10 autistic people in employment in the UK) and can also face regular stigmatisation. For these reasons and many others, Autistica is very important in advocating about these issues.

One thing I like about Autistica is how, as an organisation, they seek to take an evidenced-based approach to research and policy. As I have written in the past (e.g. see this note), I think this approach is very important when researching and discussing the complexity of issues related to autism, autism support, and effective policy making.

Having said all that, there are also many other fantastic charities associated with this year’s Jingle Jam that are worthy of support. So if there is a different cause close to your heart, and if you wish to support, you can see the full list of charities and make a donation via this link. (If you like games, then as a bonus you can also grab this year’s games bundle!).

*Edit* Amazing! Shortly after publishing this post £1,000,000 has already been raised in the first ~24 hours across all the charities.