Walk/Run 4 Autism Awareness

PRESS RELEASE

Walk/Run 4 Autism Awareness

Sunday, 3rd May 2009 – Hagley Park (North), Christchurch

Autism New Zealand Inc. Canterbury Branch is excited to announce the first annual 'Walk/Run 4 Autism Awareness’. The 2.5km, 5km and 10km fun walk/run will be at Hagley Park (North), 3 May 2009 starting at 9.30am. The World Autism Awareness Day is in April and we hope to raise awareness in our community. The day will be opened by our mayor Bob Parker and include family entertainment for all to enjoy, beverages and food as well as information booths on available services from local community agencies. You can pre]register at www.autismnz.org.nz/funrun.php, from your local Christchurch City Council Library or on the day of the event between 8.00am and 9.15am (late registration fee applies).

We hope many people in the community will participate. In addition, Autism New Zealand Inc Canterbury Branch wants to give back to the community. We are offering all Schools 50% of the registration fee back for participating in recognition of their support. This means that any person who designates a school on the pre]registration form will be supporting their school as well as Autism New Zealand Inc Canterbury Branch.

The primary purpose of this project is to raise awareness of this important issue. Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in New Zealand today. 1 in 100 children born this year will be diagnosed with Autism. There are more than 1,000 adults and children with this disability living in Canterbury and one of these children may be taught at a school near you.

Our goal is to improve the education and services available in the local community for individuals and families affected by autism. Funds raised on the day will go towards training parents, carers, teacher aides, teachers and other professionals to affectively use communication strategies (e.g. Picture Exchange Communication, Sensory Profiling and Makaton ] basic sign language) with children or adults with Autism. It has been found that communication is the single biggest barrier presented by Autism. Offering these training courses is completely dependant on how much is raised on the day of the ‘Walk/Run 4 Autism Awareness’.

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