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Autism and Vision Los Angeles | Children Vision and Autism affecting... hollywoodvision.com | Autism: Early detictionReveal the truth about autism causes, autism... consultant4hypnosis.com | Therapies, healing and health :: Sunday Programme innerspacenorwich.co.uk | Sensory Motor & Autism - Products for speech therapy, dysphagia, autism,... dysphagiaplus.com |
Autism Sunday, also known as the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger syndrome, is observed annually on the second Sunday of February.
[edit] HistoryAutism Sunday was first held in 2002 during Autism Awareness Year in the United Kingdom. It was initiated by parents Ivan and Charika Corea, founders of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. Parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder and a communication disorder, they urged church leaders and leaders of religious organisations around the world to speak up for people with autism and Asperger syndrome.[1]  The first service for autism was held in February 2002 at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Former Minister of Education Education Ministers, peers from the House of Lords, celebrities, writers, broadcasters, and the media joined children and people at St Paul's Cathedral to pray for children and adults with autism and Asperger syndrome, as well as their parents and caregivers. In 2008, the first Early Day Motion on Autism Sunday was tabled in the House of Commons, in the Palace of Westminster. The motion, EDM 874, was sponsored by David Drew MP and signed by 71 members of Parliament. It calls on the Government to work with all faith communities in order to reach out to parents, caregivers and people with autism and Asperger syndrome in local communities; and urges church leaders and community groups of all denominations to engage with people with autism and Asperger syndrome.[2] The Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition in the House of Commons, David Cameron extended his support for Autism Sunday.[3] [edit] Debate in the House of CommonsAutism Sunday was mentioned in a debate in the House of Commons in the British Parliament. David Taylor (British politician) MP mentioned the day and called for action stating that the 'Churches and other religious organisations will be supporting an international day of prayer for those with autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Will the Leader of the House take this as a bid for a topical debate on the issue, which affects hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country?The conditions are under-recognised and under-resourced and they badly need a national strategy, a national taskforce and a well resourced plan for the future.' [4] In reply, the Leader of the Commons, Harriet Harman MP said: 'For many years, families have struggled to support and care for children with autism, often to a great extent on their own and without the proper back-up of integrated services. There is now a great deal more awareness of the difficulties of autism and Asperger’s syndrome, and a recognition of the importance of early diagnosis and integrated services. I congratulate the Churches on picking this for an international day of prayer, and we would like to work with the Churches, local government and the voluntary sector to ensure that families with a family member who develops autism or Asperger’s have the backing that they need in future.' [5] [edit] International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger Syndrome Churches of all denominations around the world now honor the millions of people with autism on Autism Sunday, the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger Syndrome.[6] Organisers estimate there are 60 million people with autism around the world.[6] Campaigners have said that many suffer without proper public services in education, health,specialist speech therapy and respite care in several parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia. The credit crunch and the global recession which hit many countries in 2008-2009 also affected the Autism Community. Homes were re-possessed during the economic downturn and some families below the poverty line had to chose between heating and eating.[7] World church leaders have been supporting Autism Sunday. Pope Benedict XVI told the organisers that he would be praying for the autism community on Autism Sunday.[8] Some of the largest churches in the United States, including Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, have pledged to pray for 60 million people with autism and Asperger syndrome on Autism Sunday. Support came from the Bishop of London in the United Kingdom, Rt.Rev.Richard Chartres. [9] [edit] See also[edit] References
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