World Austin Awareness Day Observance 2018

Guyana joins the “Light it up Blue” World Austin Awareness Day Observance 2018. By Karen Hall -FEH Autism awareness celebrates the achievement of families and persons on the spectrum annually in April. The United Nations set aside April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. Suzanne and Bob Wright co-founders of Autism Speaks launched Light it up Blue up movement in honour of their grandchild with Autism. Since then 150 countries participates each year. The University of Guyana in collaboration with Sorsha Foundation joins in the Light it up Blue movement on April 2 and 6, 2018. The buildings sparkled in unified acknowledgement internationally from the White house in the US to the UG Registry here in Guyana. UG did it twice. In a simple yet profound ceremony on Friday 6 the Public Relations Department, Faculty of Education and Humanities and Sorsha Foundation co hosted The light up. Speakers were Karen Williams, Sorsha Foundations and final year student Monique Perdroo. One of the highlights of the speeches was the need for more local recognition and training for teachers within the education sector. The media was also present. A rudimentary research showed that Autism is a neurological exceptionality first diagnosed by 1887- Dr. John Langdon Down and the term Autism Spectrum Disorder was first used 1940s by Leo Kanner from the United States and Hans Asperger from Germany. Although the origin is still largely unknown the identification procedures which currently exist could recognise children on spectrum from as early as 18 months. At the University of Guyana, the Faculty of Education and Humanities offers two courses in special education one of which focus on teaching students with specific learning difficulties such as Autism and Dyslexia. The faculty is proposing to also launch both the degree and masters programs in Special Education. The University thanks the organisation(s) and media who partnered with us the launch our Autism month awareness program and look forward to working with you in the ongoing quest to bring to Guyana appropriate supports for families’ members who are autistic. Finally, some tips we should know when interacting with children and adults on the spectrum. They would like those around them to realise that they mean what they say, prepare them for changes, be patient when awaiting replies to questions, find out their interest to start the conversation with what they know. The Light up Blue April 6