World Autism Awareness Day [event name] on [event date]in [town/suburb]

[Date and place]: [Name of group organizing the event] is marking World Autism Awareness Day by holding a [event] on [day and date]. [Include details of the location, times etc.]

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend to mark this important date.

In Melbourne, there will be a walk around the river precinct and balloon release at 3.15pm in Birrarung Marr, whilst Fed Square will support the event for the third year by “lighting it up blue” for Autism Awareness on the nights of both 1 and 2 April. This year both AAMI Stadium and Crown Casino will be joining in the “light it up blue” campaign to raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

All around Victoria, Australia and the world, there are events to increase awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

  • ASD is being diagnosed in around 1 in 100-110 school-aged children in Australia
  • It is the number 1 disability accounting for more disability diagnoses than all other disabilities combined in children in Australia
  • ASD is a lifelong condition and there is no cure
  • ASD affects the individual’s ability to socialise, to communicate and to think flexibly – individuals often have fixed routines and have difficulty coping with change
  • There are around 55,000 individuals in Victoria who are “on the spectrum”: the disorder is very varied and no two individuals are alike
  • Early intervention and appropriate lifelong supports can have tremendous benefits for individuals, while community understanding can help change their lives for the better

“World Autism Awareness Day aims to draw attention to Autism Spectrum Disorder and to the many thousands of individuals who live with the condition, as well as their families and friends who support them. ASD is often misunderstood and individuals are judged harshly, due to the lack of understanding in the community,” says Mr Murray Dawson-Smith, CEO of Autism Victoria trading as Amaze. “We would love to get to the stage where every Australian understands ASD and is supportive of individuals on the spectrum.”

ENDSCont/…

Contacts:[First contact, position title, organisation]

T: 0000 0000Mob: 0000 000 0009E: [add address]

[Second contact, position title, organisation]

T: 0000 0000Mob: 0000 000 0009E: [add address]

BACKGROUND:

World Autism Awareness Day –

On 18 December 2007, the United Nations declared that 2 April would be World Autism Awareness Day, with consensus support from all United Nation Member States with the intention of bringing more attention to the condition and help give a voice to the millions of individuals who are undiagnosed, misunderstood or looking for help.

Autism Victoria – trading as Amaze –

Autism Victoria trading as Amaze is a member-based not-for-profit organisation representing individuals in Victoria who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).The organisation’s aim is to improve the quality of life for people affected by ASD, their families and carers, and to provide a range of services to individuals and agencies thatassist these individuals. Autism Spectrum Disorder includes Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS.

Autism Victoria trading as Amaze generates income from a range of sources including memberships, government funding, philanthropic trusts, private donations and various other activities. The Association’s Patron is Professor Margot Prior AO, who is an internationally acclaimed researcher, teacher and clinician in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Autism Victoria trading as AmazeW: