Family Fun Event Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day
04/04/2012
Around 300 people attended a fun and information event to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day last Saturday at the Navan Centre, Armagh.
People with autism and their families enjoyed a range of activities including a living history demonstration, crafts, a tour of the fort, warrior school and a myths and legends show.
The event was organised by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust with financial support from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme secured by CAWT (the cross border health and social care partnership) and RASDN (Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder Network).
Autism Services staff from the Southern Trust were on hand with information, advice and tips on play, communication, sensory processing difficulties and managing behaviour.
Lesley Waugh, the Co-ordinator for Autism Services in the Southern Trust, said: “Autism is one of the most common developmental disabilities in Northern Ireland. It is a lifelong disability and whilst it varies from person to person, all individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder will have problems in social communication, social interaction and imagination. We are delighted that so many people with autism, their families and carers came to enjoy this great day out in an ‘autism-friendly’ environment.”
Luke and Daniel Martin getting their faces painted with their Granny
Sharon and Courtney Branagin, Gaelen, Sol, and Jude Cunningham with their dad. Carmel Burke and Janet Moran CAWT and Celtic Warrior John, Paul Coyle
The Burke and Roohipour families from the Southern Trust area, the Kelly family from the Western Trust area, Siobhan Feely and Georgina O’Brien from Donegal and Sligo, Jackie and Brian McCarron, from Monaghan, and staff from the Southern and Western Trusts, Dublin North East, Donegal Sligo and Monaghan, CAWT partnerships