Gdynia celebrates World Autism Awareness Day

April is a month in which the world celebrates Autism Awareness Day. The Blue Trail organization together with Special School number 17 prepared two days to celebrate and spread the knowledge about Autism.

World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day was established in 2007. In this year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution announcing April 2 as WAAD. This is one of four official health-specific United Nation’s Days. The main objective of the global observance of WAAD is to attract public attention about the disorder, which affects tens of millions of people worldwide.

Autism – what is it?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It results in problems with social interaction and communication. Parents can notice the signs in the period of the first two years of a child’s life. There are many factors which may cause the disorder. It is a combination of genetic and environmental reasons. Additional problem is that scientists are still working on discovering and restraining all factors causing Autism.

Autism in numbers

Globally Autism affects approximately 21.7 million people. 31.1 million more suffer because of Asperger syndrome. According to Synapsis foundation, more than 30.000 people with Autism live in Poland. The awareness of the society about the disorder is very low. As a result, people with Autism have problems with getting an education or a job.

Autism? – it happens 😉

Traditionally, the city of Gdynia turned blue on the first Saturday of April. This year it was the 6th of April. Dozens of people participated in a march down the main street. Hundreds watched and were getting interested in the event. This answers the main objective of the World Autism Awareness Day – spreading knowledge about the disorder. Tricity News was a partner of the event.

Video – volunteers from Primary School number 34 in Gdynia

Conference

Apart from the open air part of the celebration, the organizers of the World Autism Awareness Day in Gdynia invite for a conference. This will take place on the 18th and 19th of May in Pomeranian Park of Knowledge and Technology. The conference will include presentations by some of the best specialists in the field.