Monday, April 2, 2012

Autism Awareness Day


"Autism is not limited to a single region or a country; it is a worldwide challenge that requires global action."

Secretary of United Nations-General Ban Ki-moon

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired and social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. For a diagnosis to be made, symptoms must become apparent before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. It is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum (ASDs), the other two being Asperger Syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (commonly abbreviated as PDD-NOS), which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome are not met.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself during the first three years of life. The rate of autism in all regions of the world is high and it has a tremendous impact on children, their families, communities and societies.

The World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) Resolution had four main components:
1) the establishment of 2 April as WAAD
2) participation of UN organizations, member states, NGOs and all private & public organizations in WAAD
3) raise awareness of Autism on all levels in society
4) Secretary-General of UN should deliver this message to member states and all other UN organs

So starting from now,
Please pay your respect to autism people.
Don't use them as a joke that you usually do to your friend.
Remember, they are human too, like you, who still have a heart.


Sincerely,
Me, a sister of the autism brother :)


*from many sources

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