News
Marking World Autism Awareness Day
April 2, 2012 Nicola  |
World Autism Awareness Day is a day which dedicates itself to raising awareness of people with Autism around the globe.
On April 2 2012, people from all walks of life will join together to understand and acknowledge the prevalence of autism worldwide.
Autism is a life-long disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people and their surroundings. Figures suggest that autism affects four times as many boys than girls.
Autism affects around half a million people in the UK, according to The National Autistic Society. The same society is currently organising awareness events up and down the UK, which include presentations, parties, aromatherapy sessions and fundraising activities.
Autistica: The Science in the Service of Autism, a UK based organisation, is holding non-uniform days within primary and secondary schools during the end of spring term on March 26-30 by offering t-shirts for pupils to wear instead of the compulsory school uniform in order to raise awareness of the condition.
Elsewhere in the world, landmarks such as the Empire State Building in New York City, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro and the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia will be lit up in blue to commemorate the day.
By Sean Jones
[Image courtesy of Matt Beckwith]
