An awareness rally by autistic children, their parents and the special educators marked the World Autism Awareness Day celebrations in the city on Tuesday.
The rally was organised by Dolphin Special School and Centre, Thillai Nagar. A.Jaya, Mayor, flagged off the rally from seventh cross in the presence of R. Shyamala, District Differently Abled Welfare Officer, Praveena, director, Dolphin Special School and Centre, and Jagadambal, headmistress, K. A. P. V. Primary School.
The Mayor marched along with the students till the rally reached the school.
The students and parents carried banners and placards with slogans ‘autism is not a disease, but a minor defect’, ‘provide opportunity for the autistic children in the regular schools’, ‘autistic children can excel in regular schools too if provided proper opportunity’, ‘special education, special attention and need-based training are the need of the hour for autistic children’, and ‘parents to play a key role in the rehabilitation of autistic children’ among others.
About 50 autistic children are studying in this school in the early intervention programme.
According to Ms. Praveena, the regional resource centre functioning under State Social Welfare Board has recognised Dolphin Special School and Centre for offering early intervention and sensory intervention programme for autistic children in the age group of two–six years from this year. This programme will be free of cost, she said.
