Pretoria – The Department of Social Development has encouraged all South Africans to observe World Autism Day by wearing blue clothes as a symbol of solidarity with persons with autism.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disability. People with ASD may communicate, interact, behave and learn in ways that are different from most other people.
The United Nations General Assembly in 2007, declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the lives of autistic children and adults so they can lead full and meaningful lives.
This has given organisations all around the world a chance to unite and give a voice to millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and therefore unable to access relevant services as well as education, work and recreation opportunities.
Light It Up Blue campaign
Part of the day is the Light It Up Blue campaign, where over 160 countries worldwide get involved in the awareness campaign by lighting up landmarks, buildings and cities all around the world.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has urged all concerned “to take part in fostering progress by supporting education programmes, employment opportunities and other measures that help realize our shared vision of a more inclusive world”.
The department said World Autism Awareness Day is a call to action.
“The South African public is encouraged to shine blue lights, hoist blue flags and wear blue clothes as a symbol of solidarity with persons with autism and their families’ struggles to be recognised as equal citizens,” the department said.
The department noted that there are currently no reliable prevalence studies indicating figures in South Africa. This is due to stigma, lack of access to medical interventions, under-diagnosis, over diagnosis, cultural misperceptions; amongst others.
“A leading researcher in South Africa based at UCT estimates that approximately 2% of our population is affected by ASD.”
Community-based empowerment programmes
The department has prioritised the developmental rights of children with autism and is currently implementing community-based empowerment programmes for parents and care-givers of children with autism in partnership with Autism South Africa.
The department is also collaborating with Autism South Africa, among others, in a research project to determine the actual cost of autism to the family, the cost of opportunity, the cost of loss of opportunity, as well as the cost of services.
“The purpose of the study is to provide evidence for policy review and subsidisation models,” the department explained.
The department also encourages families of children with autism to stand up for their rights by ensuring that they are enrolled in early childhood development programmes, have access to health and rehabilitation services, and that all children between the ages of 7 and 15 years are enrolled in school.
For more information on autism and services for persons with autism, the public can contact:
- Autism South Africa: Tel: 011 484 9909; Email: director@autismsouthafrica.org; www.autismsouthafrica.org (the website also contains their provincial office contact details); www.aut2know.org
- Action in Autism (KZN): Tel: 031 2611154; Email: info@actioninautism.org.za; The Action in Autism Centre 031 2074858
- Association for Autism (Pretoria): Tel: 012 993 4628; Email: afainfo1@gmail.com
- Ernie Els Centre for Autism: Tel: 011 484 7254; Email: shani.zuk@ernieels.com; www.ernieelscentre4autism.co.za
Taxpayers who are disabled, or who have dependents with disabilities, including autism, qualify for significant tax disability rebates. They can contact their nearest SARS office to enquire, and if they are unable to assist, contact Nathi Nxele at SARS: NNxele@sars.gov.za - SAnews.gov.za
