Pledge to be silent this Autism Awareness Day
Action in Autism invites the public to join them and thousands of non-verbal people by making a pledge to be non-verbal for two hours today (Saturday, 28 April) at the Durban Botanical Gardens from 10am to noon.
When two people send a message of any kind to each other with or without words, they are communicating.
While autistic people all have something important to say, they can’t always express themselves as well or as easily as people around them. Over 50 per cent of autistic people have severe difficulties with spoken language, and when people cannot express their basic needs or experiences to others, life can be extremely isolating and lonely.
To show acknowledgement and respect for such difference, Action in Autism invites the public to join them and thousands of non-verbal people by making a pledge to be non-verbal for two hours today (Saturday, 28 April) at the Durban Botanical Gardens from 10am to 12 noon.
Bring a picnic basket and relax in peaceful surrounds, using only signs, gestures, pointing, typing or drawing to communicate during this time.
Read also:Â Explore life of an autistic child during #AutismMonthÂ
“Speaking is not the only form of communication,” said chairman of Action in Autism, Liza Aziz.
“We ask people to join us in honouring those who are different from you and experience their world.”
Anyone who would like to extend this awareness event to their workplace during the month of April to show acknowledgement and solidarity to people with autism can purchase stickers at R10 each and t-shirts at R100 from the Action in Autism office.
Action in Autism does not receive any funding from government and relies on sponsorship and the support of the community to continue its early intervention, support and advocacy work. Anyone wanting to contribute to the organisation through cash, kind or through volunteering time, the organisation would be most thankful.
For more information about Action in Autism and the support to parents and families provided by the organisation, call 031-563-3039 or email info@actioninautism.org.za.
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