On the 2^nd of April every year, people around the globe celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. In December 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2^nd of April as World Autism Awareness Day in order to highlight the need to improve the lives of individuals with autism, build a more accepting society World Autism Awareness Day as well as celebrate the rights of individuals with Autism. Individuals with Autism are constantly faced with various challenges associated with stigma and discrimination, lack of access to support, and even abuse and isolation.

All of us at Early Autism Project Malaysia and our nonprofit arm, The Hope Project are championing the cause through our various initiatives to raising awareness on accurate diagnosis and treatment of autism. Young children with early detection and quality treatment have a chance to maximise their potential and 50% of children can catch up in development to their peers. We are also for supporting and helping families with individuals with Autism through our initiatives. This month, we will also continue our efforts to raise funds and reaching more individuals through our campaigns.

OUR INITIATIVES FOR WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH 2020

1. Autism at Home resource platform

The Autism at Home is an online resource platform with training videos featuring some of the best strategies to each individual with Autism used by Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) professionals all over the world.

Thanks to the generous donors of The Hope Project, we have had the funding to be able to develop this and we have launched our first series! EAP has contributed all the content and resource and as part of our corporate social responsibility contribution.

Check out the AUTISM AT HOME website and register with us!

2. Autism Awareness Video

Part of our campaign during World Autism Awareness Month is also to speak about differences, that it is alright to be different and being kind. To help send this message, we will also be showcasing our Autism awareness video, “Kindness is Cool”, staring one of our superstar kiddos. In this video, he talks about kindness and how to be kind to others.

3. Launch of social media campaign

Check out @eapmalaysia for our Instagram live with our director, Jochebed Isaacs and our senior supervisor, Sarah Woo, happening on the 2nd of April, at 9am for exciting updates and Q&A!

4. Autism Awareness Billboard Ads 

In raising awareness, friends of The Hope Project have also sponsored ad time on 5 billboards across the Klang Valley. Check out our ads up on UNILINK billboards at the following locations:

1. Bukit Bintang
2. Sri Hartamas
3. LDP – TTDI
4. LDP – Sunway Mentari
5. LDP – Sri Pentas

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CAMPAIGN WITH US:

1. Get your children involved in a World Autism Awareness themed activity !
2. Participate in our social media campaign by posting on social media with some ideas below:

• Change profile picture to blue
• Post a picture of yourself wearing blue/our merchandise
• Post a picture of something blue
• Post a story of why you #lovesomeonewithautism or a story of your child.
• Share your own inspirational story
• Reshare posts by @eapmalaysia

Don’t forget to tag @eapmalaysia @eaphopeproject #lovesomeonewithautism in your posts!

 

SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS AT THE HOPE PROJECT:

1. Support our efforts by purchasing our merchandise

Our online store is still open so come and purchase our merchandise and we will mail the items right to your doorstep! All profits will go to supporting our efforts at The Hope Project.

2. Support us by donating to The Hope Project through these channels

1. Website
2. Boost App
   • Go to ‘Do more’ > ‘Donations’ > The Hope Project
   • Additionally, you can also sign up for Boost Missions to donate to The Hope Project, earning you some additional rewards!

 

References:

UN News Release (2014). Commemorative Events for World Autism Awareness Day. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news/social/world-autism-awareness-day.html