Pledge to be non-verbal
Community urged to try be silent for two hours on 2 April, Autism Awareness Day.
ACTION in Autism has committed to acknowledging World Autism Day on 2 April by asking people to make their pledge to be non-verbal for two hours – from 10am to 12pm.
To respect, acknowledge and accept difference, the public is asked to join the organisation and thousands of people with autism, and pledge to use an alternative means of communication – signs, gestures, pointing, typing or drawing – during this time.
People with autism experience difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction. Over 50 per cent of people with autism struggle with verbal communication and spoken language. For people who cannot express their basic needs or experiences in a way that the rest of the world understands, life can be isolating and extremely lonely.
“The Action in Autism family will be at the Botanic Gardens in Durban from 10am to 12 noon on April 2, and we invite everyone interested to pack a picnic basket and blanket and join us,” said Chairperson of the organisation, Liza Aziz.
“We invite people to be part of a meaningful activation that tangibly demonstrates that speaking is not the only form of communication. In this way we are able to honour those who experience their worlds and means of communication in a different way to most.”
Action in Autism, which does not receive any funding from government, invites people to support the organisation through cash or kind or through volunteering time. A fundraiser will be held on 22 April at 7pm at St John’s Hall. Tickets are only R80 and are available from their offices.
For more information about Action in Autism and the support to parents and families provided by the organisation, call 031 207 4858 or email info@actioninautism.org.za.
