Cloverdale’s Julie Maccabee won’t be the only one wearing blue on Monday.
Students and staff at George Greenaway Elementary will be wearing blue, too.
April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. Maccabee’s son, a Grade 2 student at George Greenaway, is one of the estimated 67 million people around the world who are affected by autism.
People can show their support by wearing blue or by wearing an autism puzzle ribbon.
The puzzle pieces reflect the mystery and complexity of autism, as well as the diversity of people and families living with the disorder.
Maccabee, whose home will be lit with strings of blue Christmas lights plus a few blue spotlights for the garden, hopes to help spread understanding about autism.
In doing so, she hopes to help increase awareness about families living with autism, and to foster support for the inclusion of people with autism in schools, the workforce and the community.
“A few may ask why I am wearing blue or why my house lights are blue,” she says. “I hope that those who ask will walk away with a better understanding, a new sensitivity and a new commitment to accepting neurological diversity.”
She originally planned to observe World Autism Awareness Day as a family. But since both her son and daughter attend George Greenaway, she decided to approach the school, too.
She’s thrilled by the response. Not only are students and staff wearing blue – they’re holding an assembly and a walk for autism awareness at 1:45 p.m. April 2.
One out of 110 children are diagnosed with autism. “Individuals with autism will require extra support from their families, friends, teachers and communities to develop the skills necessary for full and productive lives,” she said.
“I just wanted the people of Cloverdale to recognize there are people in their community living with autism and to show their support,” she says.
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