Media Release
Action in Autism:
2nd of April is Autism Awareness Day: Pledge to be Silent
People with autism experience difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction. Over 50 % of people with autism struggle with verbal communication and spoken language. For people who cannot express their basic needs or experiences in a way that the rest of the world understands, life can be isolating and extremely lonely.
Action in Autism has committed to acknowledging World Autism Day on April 2 by asking people to make their pledge to be non-verbal for one hour – from 10am to 11am. To respect, acknowledge and accept difference, we ask you to join us and thousands of our people with autism, and pledge to use an alternative means of communication – signs, gestures, pointing, typing or drawing – during this time.
“Speaking is not the only form of communication. Honour those who are different from you and experience their world.” says Liza Aziz, Chairperson of Action in Autism. “Our organisation does not receive any funding from government, so we would like to encourage people to us either in cash, kind or through volunteering time.”
Action in Autism will host a fundraiser on 30 April at 7pm at St. John’s Hall. Tickets are R70 and are available from our offices. For more information about Action in Autism and the support to parents and families provided by the organisation, please call 031 207 4858 or emailinfo@actioninautism.org.za.
Ends.
Further information:
Kirsten Miller
ACTION IN AUTISM
031 207 4858/083 7774468