April is International Autism Month, and 2 April is Autism Awareness Day.
On Friday (20/04) junior phase teachers, staff and parents of learners at the Amari Special School had an Autism wareness drive at the Goldfields Mall, sharing valuable information and pamphlets on the matter.
The theme was “Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts and in policymaking” – a call to bring awareness to autism, provide support and promote acceptance of autistic people in society and the workplace.
Amari currently provides a safe haven for 45 clinically diagnosed autistic learners, and with that in mind, the staff felt the need to contribute to their well-being in this month of awareness.
The school aims to eradicate misconceptions and promote tolerance for not just autism, but all neurodiversity by bringing awareness to the broader public on the struggles autistic people face on a daily basis.
On Friday, the learners wore “civvies” and took part in a fun run.
“We teach our learners through exposure and guidance that we must take care of ourselves and, in turn, care for others,” says Gerda Schoeman, head of the school’s toddler and junior phase department.
