April 2nd is World Autism Day.

World Autism Day

Today (April 2nd) is World Autism Day. It is designed to raise awareness of the condition.

You can find out more about World Autism Day here : http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org.

As part of activities on the day, the National Autistic Society in the UK is presenting a petition to disabilities minister Anne McGuire at the Houses of Parliament which calls on the government to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. With over 7,500 signatories the petition is asking the UK Government to adopt the Convention's commitments to combat prejudice and raise awareness of the capabilities and contributions of disabled people, including those with autism.

NAS chief executive Mark Lever said: “A UN awareness day is a powerful tool in terms of getting attention but we want to see real change. Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition which has a profound and sometimes devastating impact on individuals and their families. By ratifying the Convention, and backing efforts to raise awareness of autism, the Government can signal its firm commitment to supporting the half a million people affected by the condition in the UK.”

Autism is much more common than most people think, affecting one in 100 people in the UK. All public services and business should expect to serve people with autism and greater understanding is vital for people with autism to be able to enjoy the same rights and freedoms as everyone in society.

The NAS petition is part of the charity’s ongoing think differently about autism campaign, launched in October 2007, based on a survey of 2000 people from across the UK which found that although 92% of people claim to have heard of autism, there’s a lack of understanding and awareness about some of the key characteristics of the condition and 90% of people do not realise how common it is.

Initial reactions to typical behaviour associated with autism are often very negative, and this lack of understanding has a devastating impact on individuals and families. Encouragingly, however, knowing that somebody has autism makes a difference to the way people think: hence the name of the campaign.

In other World Autism Awareness Day activities today, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism is staging a special meeting which will be addressed by Isobel Bayonaras, President of the World Autism Organisation. Care services minister Ivan Lewis is also speaking at the event.

Further Information
The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders and their families. Founded in 1962, it continues to spearhead national and international initiatives and provide a strong voice for all people with autism. The NAS provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible.

The NAS relies on the support of its members and donors to continue its vital work for people with autism. To become a member, make a donation or to find out more about the work of the NAS, visit the NAS website www.autism.org.uk or call the NAS donation line 08702 33 40 40, (national rates apply).

For more information about autism and for help in your area, call the NAS Autism Helpline on: 0845 070 4004 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday, (local rates apply).

The NAS Autism Services Directory is the UK’s most comprehensive directory of services and events for people with autism. Visit www.autism.org.uk/autismdirectory to find autism services and support networks in your area.

About Autism Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.


This content was created on Thu 3 April 2008

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