Times of India
03 April 2010
Bangalore, India

Autistic kids go door to door
Their Plea: Don’t Shun Us
Residents of J P Nagar 2nd Phase and Jayanagar 9th Block had surprise visitors on Friday.

Autistic children accompanied by volunteers went on a door–todoor campaign to create awareness on autism on the occasion of World Autism Day.

Nithyalakshmi M K, trustee, Society for the Autistics in India, said various programmes were initiated to create awareness. To start with, there was a radio programme where issues related to autism were highlighted. ”My staff and children went door to door in and around JP Nagar and Jayanagar, and covered 45 houses. Besides highlighting autism, we have urged some residents, including college–goers, to pitch in as volunteers,” she said.

In addition to this, greeting cards made by autistic children were distributed, with details of autism, its symptoms, how to take care of such children, etc.

”There is awareness about autism in society. Many don’t know how to handle such children in public,” she pointed out.

The birth of the 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. Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al–Missned, consort of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al–Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, supported the campaign for World Autism Awareness Day through the 62nd General Assembly Session, and garnered support from all UN member–states.

The United Nations resolution, one of the three official disease–specific United Nations days, is expected to bring the world’s attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions.The resolution encourages all member–states to raise awareness about autism and encourage early diagnosis and intervention.