April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day
How much do you know about autism? Take the quiz and find out.
Autism South Africa (A;SA) aspires to achieving a society in which persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) enjoy all the rights and opportunities to meet their needs and fulfill their potentials, throughout their lives, as loved and valued members of their families and communities
The organisation not only aims to highlight Autism Awareness Day on April 2 but rather April as Autism Acceptance Month.
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In 2019, A;SA introduced the term neurodiversity. It is the idea that people have different ways of thinking. This is often compared to different phones. Some people think like an Apple phone and have IOS software; and other people think like a Samsung phone and have Android software.
Essentially, it’s the idea that people have different neurotypes and because of this think differently.
On its website, ASA states it’s important to remember neurodiversity does not mean that autistic people, or people with other disabilities, don’t need support. On the contrary, it means accepting and embracing those who are neurodiverse, just as we should accept and embrace people with racial, ethnic, cultural and gender diversity.
Click HERE For more information.
“On World Autism Awareness Day, we recognise and celebrate the rights of persons with autism. This year’s observance takes place in the midst of a public health crisis unlike any other in our lifetimes — a crisis that places persons with autism at disproportionate risk as a result of the coronavirus and its impact on society,” said United Nations (UN) Secretary General, António Guterres.
“Persons with autism have the right to self-determination, independence and autonomy, as well as the right to education and employment on an equal basis with others. But the breakdown of vital support systems and networks as a result of Covid-19 exacerbates the obstacles that persons with autism face in exercising these rights. We must ensure that a prolonged disruption caused by the emergency does not result in rollbacks of the rights that persons with autism and their representative organisations have worked so hard to advance,” he said.
Quiz on autism
1. Everyone on the spectrum is different.
a. True b. False
2. Autism South Africa has Autism ______ Month.
a. Awareness b. Acceptance
3. Autistic children become autistic adults.
a. True b. False
4. Autism is a disease.
a. True b. False
5. A meltdown is the same as a tantrum
a. True b. False
6. Can someone look autistic?
a. Yes b. No
7. A common characteristic in autism is anxiety
a. True b. False
8. Autistic people who do not speak can understand what you say to them
a. True b. False
9. At Autism South Africa we believe in presuming competence
a. True b. False
10. The theme for World Autism Acceptance Month is:
______________________
Answers for the quiz: 1. a – true 2. b – acceptance 3. a – true 4. b – false 5. b – false 6. b – no 7. a – true 8. a – true 9. a – true 10. Think Neurodiveristy
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