Centre goes blue to mark world autism awareness day

Centre goes blue to mark world autism awareness day

2 April 2014

THE Down Arts Centre turned blue on Monday night as part of world autism awareness day celebrations.

The iconic building in the heart of Downpatrick town centre was one of a number of landmarks across the globe illuminated with blue lights to raise awareness about autism.

Others which turned blue on Monday included Trafalgar Square, Sydney Opera House, the Empire State Building, the Pyramids and the Tokyo Tower in Japan.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.

It is a spectrum condition, which means that while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways.

There are currently over 20,000 people diagnosed with autism in Northern Ireland, which outstrips the total number of those affected by Down’s Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease. Each year, Autism NI raises awareness for the disability through a co-ordinated awareness campaign.

Down Council chairman, Maria McCarthy, said she was delighted the local authority showed its support for the work being done to promote autism awareness.

Councillor McCarthy was joined by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and a number of her council colleagues on Monday night in Downpatrick town centre.

“By lighting up the council’s Arts Centre we are sending out a clear message that we are supportive of the work being done on the ground to offer help and support to families in the district and across the region dealing with this disability,” the chairman continued.

“We hope that this gesture will create better awareness and understanding of the issue and raise much needed funds for the charity.”

Autism NI chief executive, Arlene Cassidy, said the organisation is grateful Down Council chose to support world autism awareness day.

She added: “It is vital awareness is raised throughout Northern Ireland in relation to autism, especially within the local community as there is still a lot of misunderstanding and ignorance in relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder.