To mark World Autism Day, Western Care Association has published a resource for families: Autistic Spectrum Disorder: a Guide for Parents.
The guide was launched on Tuesday, April 2, in Breaffy House Hotel. Michelle Mulherin TD officially launched the booklet.
Children’s activities were provided including face painting, games, arts and crafts, and booklets are available at Western Care offices or an electronic version is available on the Western Care website, in the autism section.
‘Light it Up Blue’ is an initiative that town councils around the world participate in where they light up key buildings in their towns and cities blue in order to raise the awareness of autism. Mayo County Council lit up the Newport bridge blue to mark the day.
Autism is a lifelong neuro developmental disorder that affects at least one in every 88 children. It occurs four times more in boys than girls.
Autism effects three key areas: Social communication (delayed language/no language/literal interpretation of language ), social interaction (poor eye contact, difficulty relating to others, may prefer to play alone ), and social imagination (lack of pretend play, tendency towards sameness and routine, dislike of change ).
Western Care Association has a children’s autism service that provides an autism specific service for children up to 18 years of age.
