The Flagstaff Hill lighthouse turned blue on Sunday to help raise awareness about autism. More than 300 people gathered at dusk on Autism Day as part of World Autism Month.
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Organiser Kylie O’Neill said Aspect South Coast School had been involved before and this was her first time coordinating the night. And she was delighted it was attended by so many families affected by autism and their friends. She was helped by husband Rich Fongaro and other parents who want to get more information out.
“I have a three year old daughter (Grace) who was diagnosed with autism last year. She goes to a Supported Playgroup. We want to raise awareness so other people and families know they don’t have to walk the autism journey alone,” she said.
Mrs O’Neill also wants to promote understanding. She thinks if the community becomes more knowledgeable about autism it will help remove any stigma and make more people comfortable to approach families.
Jane Warren, of Big Fat Smile/Supported Playgroups, said the other thing that was important is a lot of parents with children on the autism spectrum are often judged in public because their children have behaviours that might not be characteristic of other children.
”So parents can often feel quite overwhelmed because of other people’s judgement. To have an event like this just allows people in the community to become more aware of children on the autism spectrum. It is about realising all children are different and their behaviours are not intentional,” she said.
Those behind Sunday’s event are planning to do more in the future to get the message out and Mrs O’Neill has just joined Care & Share for Autism. Director Jenn Ratcliffe and her husband Brad Ratcliffe are the parents of two children on the autism spectrum and have a printed version of a helpful new book being published this month.