St George’s enlisting parishioners in autism awareness campaign

St George’s Cathedral is requesting that its parishioners wear blue on Sunday as it continues to demonstrate its support for Autism Awareness month.

On April 2, the outside of the cathedral was illuminated in blue to express its support for Autism Speaks awareness day. Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and research organisation which was initiated in 2005, a press release said. The cathedral is supporting the ‘Light it up blue’ campaign this month and is urging its parishioners to support this cause.

According to a press release, autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders; Autism Spectrum Disorders, caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterised in varying degrees by communication difficulties, social and behavioural challenges as well as repetitive behaviours. An estimated one in 88 children in the US is on the autism spectrum.

Autism Speaks has committed more than $195 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Every year ‘Walk Now for Autism Speaks’ events are held in many countries worldwide.