“Accept, Love, Celebrate and Include” Autism Awareness Day 2022
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Prevalence of autism is about 1.07% in Sri Lanka and there are about 70 million people with autism throughout the world. Characteristics and severity of autism vary from one individual to another, hence the condition is identified as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Common characteristics of ASD include difficulty understanding and using language, difficulties in social interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Further, many people with ASD are either oversensitive or under- sensitive to sounds, light, taste, smell and touch. Symptoms of ASD begin in early childhood and interfere with activities of daily living. Early identification and intervention by professionals are paramount for individuals with ASD to improve their quality of life and reach their fullest potential.
Over the years, the increasing occurrence of ASD has raised the need to make the general public aware of the disorder in order to promote acceptance of people with ASD within the community. As a result, since 2007 the 2nd of April is marked as the World Autism Awareness Day and the month of April is marked as Autism Awareness Month to celebrate and support people with ASD.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Inclusive Quality Education for All”. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic where opportunities to learn and engage under normal circumstances were hindered, what does this mean for people with ASD? The theme emphasises that despite the pandemic, people with ASD have the right to quality education just like any individual, and that families, teachers, healthcare workers, and society as a whole are responsible for facilitating such, leaving no one behind.
Let us all make a pledge to accept, love, celebrate and include people with ASD in our lives.
Ratmalana Audiology Centre is dedicated to providing speech therapy services and special education services for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders to help them be included in society”. Connect with us today for information and appointments regarding Special Education & Speech therapy on 0773945945 0r 0117307308
Let us all make a pledge to accept, love, celebrate and include people with ASD in our lives today and every day.