19/03/2010

What you can do for World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2010

CARDIFF, Wales: The United Nations has declared April 2 World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), and Autism Cymru is joining forces with other autism organisations in the UK and the USA to create one single day of mass awareness.
 
Autism Cymru and The National Autistic Society Cymru are asking schools, teachers, staff and pupils in Wales to help us raise awareness by organising small events leading up to World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April by Standing up for Autism.  Together we can make our contribution from Wales really count on World Autism Awareness Day 2010!
 
We want to use this opportunity to give a clear message to governments throughout the world that autism must be recognised and understood as a condition distinct from learning disability and mental illness and to request that appropriate policies, services and rights are put in place.
 
 Did you know…
 
There are over 20,000 children and adults with autism living in Wales today, and therefore a further 20,000 families experience autism as part of their daily lives
Over 1% of the gross population of Wales have contact with autism either as carers, individuals with autism or those who work with them as teachers, classroom assistants, etc
More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer & AIDS combined
Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
There is no medical detection or cure for autism, but early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes
Autism does not discriminate by geography, class or ethnicity
Wales is the first country in the world to create a Government led strategy for people with autism.
 
 
What can your school do to support WAAD?
 
We are asking schools in Wales to Stand up for Autism.  The concept is really simple.   This can take place during the morning school assembly or during individual class registrations.    Teachers can start by reading a few brief facts about autism (such as the ‘Did you know…’ above) or perhaps read the 1st chapter of the Blue Bottle Mystery – an Aspergers Adventure or if you have access to a screen and DVD player, you could play the short 10 minute film ‘A is for Autism’.   All pupils, teachers and staff can wear the WAAD badges to increase awareness.  Also, at the end of the Fact/Book reading/DVD session, you could ask all involved to Stand Up for Autism  i.e. Literally stand up for 60 seconds!
 
The activity is not limited to the above – you can be as creative as you like, for example hold an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bonnet competition, Non Uniform day etc.
 
All we ask is that you email us your pictures, so that we can add them to the WAAD picture gallery http://www.autistica.org.uk/waad/upload/index.php
 
 
What we can do to help you…
 
We have created templates for the WAAD badges.  All you need to do is match the template to sticky labels you may have in your stationery cupboard and print away - this is the cheapest and most effective way to do it.  (If your label size is not covered by the templates, let us know and we will do our best to create a template for you). Sticker templates are available in the library section of www.awares.org/pkgs/online_library/library.asp.  All you need to do is download the template that best suits you.

We can provide you with autism facts, an Autism – True/False quiz, and advise you where to get A is for Autism or The Blue Bottle Mystery.

We can also provide access to a dedicated WAAD 2010 website, where you can upload activities:

http://www.autistica.org.uk/waad/upload/index.php
 
Mark your calendars:  April 2, 2010 is World Autism Awareness Day!   Please take part and show your support.
 
 (Source:  Autism Cymru, March 19, 2010)

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