April is Autism Awareness Month, also referred to by some people as Autism Acceptance Month. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is characterised by challenges with social skills, communication, and by repetitive behaviour.
Around the world, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes, and communities will be lit up with light blue lights in recognition of people living with autism. Autism-friendly events and educational activities take place all month, to increase understanding and acceptance and foster worldwide support. World Autism Awareness Day can trace its roots back to November 1, 2007. This is when the United Nations first requested that a day be established as World Autism Day. This resolution was passed on December 18, 2007. Autism Awareness Month grew out of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), commemorated on April 2 every year.
Locally, this year, a ceremony was held at the University of Guyana in recognition of the UN’s World Autism Awareness Day. This followed an invitation from the “Autism Speaks” organisation for the institution to be involved in the global “Light It up Blue” campaign. As of April 6, 2018, every night for the rest of the month, the Registry building at the Turkeyen Campus will be lit blue. This is in keeping with the worldwide observance of World Autism Awareness Month 2018.
This symbolic gesture was intended to unite the world to shine a light on autism and increase greater understanding and acceptance for children, individuals, and families across the globe. According to the founder of Sorsha Williams Foundation for Autism and Special Education, Karen Williams, persons living with this developmental disorder are often placed under an umbrella. She further explained that the demands of living with a child with autism are great, and families frequently experience high levels of stress.
What’s more, World Autism Awareness Day goes one step further to celebrate the unique talents of those with autism, while putting a huge focus on the warm embrace and welcome that these skills deserve through community events around the globe.
World Autism Awareness Day aims to put a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism – and others living with autism – face every day. As a growing global health issue owing to its increasing exposure in the press, autism is an issue that is only gaining more understanding; and WAAD activities are planned every year to further increase and develop the world’s knowledge of children and adults who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
As more people become aware of the autism spectrum, more parents reach out for answers. More awareness leads to more knowledge and greater visibility. More people who aren’t living with autism learn to accept, and respect, people who are. At present, there are no official statistics on the number of autistic persons in Guyana; Government officials should, therefore, be keen to acquire the numbers, to better understand the complex disorder that affects communication and behaviour.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological disorder that typically appears during the first years of life, and affects the development of the child in three broad areas: communication skills, social skills, and repetitive or rigid behaviours. As reflected in the name, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder vary greatly in terms of the level and type of impairment. Current statistics suggest that approximately 1 in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder.
The rate of autism in all regions of the world is high, and the lack of understanding has a tremendous impact on the individuals, their families, and communities. Further, stigmatisation and discrimination associated with neurological differences remain substantial obstacles to diagnosis and therapy, an issue that must be addressed by both public policy-makers in developing nations, as well as donor countries.
While there are several local companies who already make autism causes a part of their charitable giving, there are many who have not yet jumped on board. Please consider doing so, autism is real; it affects us all. Those affected by autism need not only our understanding but our support. More importantly, those on the spectrum deserve our understanding and support. This disorder affects males and females of all races in all parts of the world.
