Friday Facts! World Autism Awareness Day

Every Friday here on the Knowledge Safari blog we aim to shine the spotlight on a various segment of special needs. In order to raise awareness and provide information. Today we are shing the spotlight on the fact that April is Autism Awareness Month and April 2nd is Autism Awareness Day. There are National and World Events going on. This LINK will tell you what you events are going on where you are. From Australia to Canada, Japan to United States, Mexico to Pakitstan and everywhere in between - there are events being planned and you can participate!

You might be noticing a lot of Blue! There is a project called "Light it up Blue" sponsored by Autism Speaks which encourages you to wear blue, think blue and see blue to raise awareness for Autism. On April 1 & 2, 2010 the Empire State Building and Toronto Tower to name a few, will be lit blue!

About World Autism Awareness Day

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, supported the campaign for a World Autism Awareness Day through the current 62nd UN General Assembly Session, garnering consensus support from all United Nations Member States. This UN resolution is one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions.

The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges. World Autism Awareness Day shines a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. WAAD activities help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention.

Additionally, WAAD 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.By bringing together autism organizations all around the world, we will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help.

Please join us in our effort to inspire compassion, inclusion and hope.

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Do you have Autism Awareness events going on in your area? Let us know here and/or use the Event Calendar on Knowledge Safari to help spread the word.