On Saturday 2 April 2016, World Autism Awareness Day was held for the 8th time and was honoured in the Grand Duchy's capital through a range of activities organised by the Luxembourg Autism Foundation (FAL).
The day's events were opened with a speech from the Minister of Family and Integration, Corinne Cahen, and Mayor of Luxembourg City, Lydie Polfer. As blue is the colour used in autism awareness, the crowds swarmed with the colour with people wearing it to show their support of people with the disability, which affects around 3,000 people here in Luxembourg.
According to the Foundation, films like 'Rainman' have enabled the public to gain a better understanding of autism, but this has also led to some confusion about the disability, including the beief that all people with autism have special skills like 'savant syndrome'.
Autism is in fact a complex developmental disability that tends to appear during the first three years of an individual's life as the result of a neurological disorder affecting the functioning of the brain. It is found in one individual out of every 150, and whilst a gender gap has been noticed, with autism four times more likely in boys than in girls, it does not appear to be affected by race, ethnicity or social background.
The exact causes of autism have still not been fully determined. There is no cure for autism but early recognition of the symptoms of deficits in communication and social internation and restricted activities or interests and repetitive behaviours and early care, in the form of medication, education and specific behavioural therapies, can help to improve the situation.
The FAL offers a range of services for people with autism to ensure that they do not see themselves excluded from the fundamental right to live a full and rich life in society, including accommodation and short-term stays, diagnostic evaluation, a day centre, extra-curricular and leisure activities, support and training. The Foundation promotes and defends inclusive policies for people with autism in Luxembourg, regardless of the severits of their disability, and intervenes when these rights are threatened.
Saturday 2 April 2016 provided an opportunity for the FAL to show the public the work it has undertaken and raise awareness of autism through information workshops and activities. To this end, more than 500 blue, biodegradable balloons were released and buildings were illuminated in the same colour as part of the 'Light it up Blue' international action. Concerts, games, quizzes, a tombala and facepainting were also held, whilst products made by people from the FAL were also up for grabs. In the evening, the film 'Rainman' starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise was screened at the Cinémathèque.
To find out more about the Foundation, visit www.fal.lu or contact the FAL by email at autisme@pt.lu or by phone on +352 26 90 11-1. Information is also available via the Facebook page. To make a donation, a transfer can be made to BCEE LU82 0019 1300 0445 5000, with the mention 'JMSA'.
Photos by FAL
