Action in Autism:
April 2 is Autism Awareness Day: Pledge to be Non verbal
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 2 hours – from 10am to 12pm. To respect, acknowledge and accept difference, the public is asked to join the organisation 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.
“The Action in Autism family will be at the Botanic Gardens in Durban from 10am to 12 noon on April 2, and we invite everyone interested to pack a picnic basket and blanket and join us,” says Chairperson of the organisation, Liza Aziz. “We invite people to be part of a meaningful activation that tangibly demonstrates that speaking is not the only form of communication. In this way we are able to honour those who experience their worlds and means of communication in a different way to most.”
Action in Autism, which does not receive any funding from government, invites all people who would like to support the organization through cash or kind or through volunteering time. A fundraiser will be held on 22 April at 7pm at St. John’s Hall. Tickets are only R80 and are available from their 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 email info@actioninautism.org.za.
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