World Autism Awareness Day

Posted on By Reedz

“Beethoven, Vincent Van Gogh, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein
and Bill Gates all had symptoms of autism in their childhood and yet,
they are names that will always remain in history.”

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YB Minister of Health giving his opening address

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The General Assembly of the United Nations designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day beginning in 2008. On this day, member nations will seek to raise society’s awareness of autism and the struggles of families with an autistic member.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. There is no cure for autism and the symptoms range from quite mild to severe. While autism rates are increasing around the world, its causes remain unknown and there is currently no test to help prevent it.

Autistic behavior such as hand flapping, tapping and mouthing objects, toe walking, rocking back and forth, head banging, and vocalizing have led researchers to consider that those with autism are overly sensitive, under-sensitive, or both. Autistic people may share common behaviors which appear in all sorts of combination and vary in levels of intensity.

The World Autism Awareness Day celebration revolves around the hope that in the future, improved research studies and technology, as well as increased awareness and compassion among members of society will help to improve our knowledge and understanding of and responsiveness to autism.

Comments (10)

  1. That was a nice coverage AB … thank you very much
    Autism Friendly Society will be strongly advocated

  2. AB.. Thank you for the coverage I really appreciate your support all these times and today you came through with your coverage and keeping us on your blog our awareness program will go a long way and I hope you will continue to support us nd the Pyjama Outing is an interesting concept . I hope more people will support your pj cinema outing.
    Tapi when I was a young boy we did go to the cinema in our Pyjama ganya pyjama kami kain pelikat and baju singlet hehehe

    Thanks again
    Malai

  3. SMARTER Dad: my pleasure 🙂

    President SMARTER: You are most welcome and I am more than happy to continue supporting SMARTER. Hope you and the other parents can make it to the pyjama night jua! Kain pelikat sama singlet pun ok tu! Heheh!

  4. Assalamualaikum anakbrunei,

    Reiterating what SMARTER Dad and Malai have expressed, please accept my sincerest appreciation for sacrificing your whole day covering the events commemorating yesterday’s World Autism Awareness Day. This is a truly commendable gesture. Even with SMARTER’s 7-year existence, there are still many people out there what autism really means and what SMARTER stands for (either literally or with regards to its roles and objectives).

    Your blog definitely goes a long way to complement SMARTER’s drive to create an Autism-Friendly Nation. Keep up the good work and your contributions will surely be rewarded. Humble apologies for not acknowledging you in any of our events’ programmes yesterday. We will surely make amends in our upcoming events. Don’t forget our roadshow starting this Sunday 6th April at The Mall.

    Wassalam,
    SMARTER’s money-man

  5. Hj Muhd Roslan: thank you for your kind words and once again it is my pleasure to help out however I can and to create as much awareness as possible through this blog 🙂

  6. AB ,
    Pyjma Outing ? Cmna kan tu ….neway brilliant work

    Hj Malai ,
    Well done for all the hard work that was amazing

    SMARTER Money man
    Keep up the good workn ..take care SMARTER $$$$

    tO aLL SMARTER KIDS

    mAY Allah bless you all

  7. Hi AnakBrunei!

    What a brilliant post. It’s reassuring to have a credible blogger such as yourself to not only provide us with coverage on Brunei’s current activities, but to also join in the spreading of autism awareness. I think every party who contributes towards this awareness is laudable, so I hope to hear more! 🙂

  8. Oh, may I also recommend an interesting read in the spirit of spreading awareness on Autism?

    http://our-unique-raiyan.blogspot.com is a blog dedicated to narrating the real-life experiences of a mother with her autistic son. 🙂

    It’s an eye-opener for those who are just getting acquainted with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and comforting for those who have autistic kids themselves. Enjoy!

  9. Nisa: thank you very much indeed for your kind words. I too have been following pweshes mama’s blog since it started and you’re absolutely right… her sharing opens many eyes and minds.

    It is my hope that she will continue to share DESPITE the adversity she has had to face of late, so that more will open their eyes and minds to this mystery called autism…

  10. Pingback: SMARTER 2009: anakbrunei.org

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