Friday was a special day at the Victoria Primary School in Gozo, when on the initiative of the student council, an activity was held to raise awareness about the wide range of different needs and abilities of those on the autism spectrum.

Children, teachers and the school administration, were present for the event on Friday, which included a special assembly in the morning. Children were also encouraged to take a blue balloon to school.

The Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Active Ageing Justyne Caruana also attended, praising the enthusiasm of the children to raise awareness of this condition that affects millions of individuals and children around the world.

Dr Caruana spoke about the importance of knowing more about autism. She said that while this generation of children get to know and be more knowledgeable about what autism is and how to treat and communicate with children with this condition, more effort should be made in general to gain knowledge and awareness, which would therefore result in a move towards more inclusiveness both in schools, as well as in our communities.

She added that the children should feel proud of their student council having made the proposal for a day focused on more knowledge and awareness on autism.

Dr Caruana said that this shows that children are becoming more and more aware of the challenge posed by this condition, which affects them directly because children in their own classrooms have this condition and they are doing everything to include them in games and all school activities.

The Parliamentary Secretary urged the student council to do their utmost to encourage other school councils to take the opportunity to organise awareness days similar to this.

Dr Caruana concluded by saying that all children by nature are different from each other, and with or without autism autism, they still have different needs. “Every individual has different needs from one another and thus we must strive to make everyone feel comfortable. Every child has different potential and abilities, and there must be a place where we give a chance for these abilities to come into the open and be shared with others.”

In 2008, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved a resolution to designate the 2nd of April as World Autism Awareness Day, to be observed every year.

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that impairs social interaction and communication, and causes restricted and repetitive behaviour, starting before the child is three years of age.

The main aim of World Autism Awareness Day is to raise international awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this brain condition. It is also important to address the misconception society has of this condition and the concerns of parents of children with autism.

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