BASE To Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day
Bermuda Autism Support & Education [BASE] is going to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day with autism community on the steps of City Hall, Hamilton next Wednesday, April 2. The ceremony, which starts at 12.30 p.m., will also mark the beginning of Autism Awareness Month in Bermuda.
Bermuda will join autism communities around the world in celebrating the 7th annual World Autism Awareness Day, which was established following a 2007 United Nations resolution. It is one of only three official condition-specific United Nations Days and aims to bring the world’s attention to Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD], which affects tens of millions of people worldwide.
Next week’s celebration will see Acting Education Minister Trevor Moniz, read the official UN declaration and also feature performances by the Prospect Primary School Choir, the Prospect Primary Superhero Autism Class and popular local singer Joy T. Barnum.
During April, Bermuda companies and organisations are encouraged to follow the example of C-Mart and mark Autism Awareness Month by joining the global Light It Up Blue campaign. Famous buildings around the world, such as the Empire State Building, Sydney Opera House and the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, will be lit up in blue at night to “shine a light” on autism as a growing global health crisis.
World Autism Awareness Day activities help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and provide information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Additionally, it celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and is a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe. For more information, visit worldautismawarenessday.org.
The latest statistics from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] identify around 1 in 88 American children as on the autism spectrum – a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. There is no established explanation for this continuing increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered. Studies also show that autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls.
Jenny Purvey, president of BASE, said that heightened awareness has led to an increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism in Bermuda but the true figures are unknown, as many children are thought to remain undiagnosed.
“We have, as a community, made great strides in increasing autism awareness in Bermuda,” she said. “With support from Government, children with autism have been accommodated in mainstream education since September 2011 when West Pembroke Primary opened their classroom. Similar classrooms were established at Prospect Primary School [September 2012] and Paget Primary School in September 2013.
“In September 2014, the Ministry of Education will extend the programme to a middle school for the first time. The location of the classroom will be announced later in the year.
“Programmes such as these are a tremendous help in fostering acceptance and understanding of autism as well as helping children with autism to fulfill their potential and contribute to society.
“The recent establishment of a Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment and Diagnostic team by Dr. Sharon Apopa, the Clinical Director at Child and Adolescent Services, provides much-needed on-Island help for families. Until now, families faced expensive overseas trips for professional assessments.”
As part of Autism Awareness Month, BASE will also be hosting a workshop at Bermuda College on Saturday, April 26. “Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders [Pervasive Developmental Disorder]:The Pathway Towards Intervention” will be led by visiting psychologist Dr Jennifer Sheehy-Knight, who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities.
Tickets are $25 until April 19 or $30 at the door. For full details, visit bermudaautism.com or email basebda@yahoo.com
Read More About
Category: All
