Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka

The Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka was set up by parents and carers Ivan and Charika Coreain 2003, to lobby for public services of health, education, specialist speech therapy and respite care for all people with autismand Asperger's Syndromeon the island.

They say there are 30,000 autistic children in Sri Lanka. Many are being kept at home. There are only a handful of schools who take in autistic children.

Sri Lankan Superstar Desmond de Silvacreated history by becoming the first musician to appeal on autism. Speaking to thousands at a concert in Colombo in August 2005, Desmond de Silva said: 'Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting so many around the world. Autism is not mental illness, these children and adults think differently. Albert Einsteinthey say was autistic. How many in the audience know that there are 38,000 autistic people in Sri Lanka? So we as entertainers, urge you all to ?speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.? Lets spread awareness of autism, particularly when numbers of autistic children are rising and we urge our government to also provide public services ? who knows we may even produce Albert Einsteins if we provide education, health, specialist speech therapy for autistic children in our lovely island.'

One of Sri Lanka's greatest singer/songwriters Nimal Mendis is also supporting this important campaign.

Autism Awareness Campaign Links

• Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism+Awareness+Campaign+Sri+Lanka Wikipedia article Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka.