‘Blue light’ awareness for autism

THE world turned blue yesterday in unity for awareness on World Autism Awareness Day.

Antoinette Bruce-Alexander, the regional development officer for Autism South Africa, said she hoped to turn the entire month of April into an awareness month.

The public could show their support by buying blue wristbands fitted with a blue flashing light, she said, or by fitting a blue light bulb at their businesses or homes.

“The blue light symbolises awareness and shows your support,” BruceAlexander explained.

“There are also blue T-shirts for sale with the slogan ‘Shine on Autism’.

“We would also like to invite all businesses and even families to put a blue light on their security light or maybe just somewhere in their homes to show support during April.”

Bruce-Alexander said there had been an alarming spike in the number of autism cases in the country.

Statistics suggest that one in 88 children is born with autism, which tends to affect more boys than girls.

“Autism cannot be detected in the womb; it’s not like Downs Syndrome. Autism is genetic or hereditary,” Bruce-Alexander said.

In an earlier interview with the Dispatch, East London-based Dr Kim Harper confirmed that the diagnosis used to be about one in 150, but now stood at one in 88, with an estimated six children diagnosed at the three public health facilities in the city each week.

“One of the reasons could be that we’re now better at diagnosing it but there is also a general increase in autism throughout the world,” he said.

Harper said that while there was no cure, early diagnosis and intervention such as speech therapy proved useful.

“Autism is usually highlighted by a lack of speech or a child who starts talking then stops. The child will be more rigid with toys and lack imaginative play. Those are the warning signs.” —