Autism SA lights it up blue
Autism South Africa celebrated World Autism Awareness Day in grand style on 2 April.
Many iconic landmarks around the world were lit up in blue on the day in support of the occasion.
Autism is a lifelong, complex condition that occurs as a result of disordered brain growth, structure and development.
It is believed to stem from a genetic predisposition, possibly triggered by environmental factors, and affects four to five times more boys than girls.
At the event many were witness to the ‘Light it Blue’ campaign that saw the Nelson Mandela Bridge drop the national colours to shine a light on autism.
According to the director of Autism South Africa, Sandy Klapper, the event was the culmination of the partnership between Gauteng’s Department of Health and Autism South Africa.
An autism public health initiative was carried out by the two parties throughout 82 districts, prior to the event, in an effort to not only increase public and professional awareness of autism disorders but also to enhance the health facilities and services to families.
In 2012, Autism South Africa lit up Table Mountain and this year it was Joburg’s turn to ‘light it up blue’.
Speaking at the event, Professor Lorna Jacklin of Wits University’s faculty of health sciences said that her dream was that every child, in every community, could be provided with autism-specific education and services within 30 minutes of where they live.
“My dream is that there is a bright future for autistic children and that everyone will share in the sentiment that there is a place for them in society,” she said.
