Autism Sunday is on Feb 13, 2011

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary

Autism Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. It is commemorated every second Sunday of February. This year, it will be observed on February 13, 2011.

Ivan and Charika Corea, parents of Charin, a teen-ager with autism, founded Autism Sunday. In 2000, both Ivan and Charika were instrumental in the Autism Awareness Campaign in UK, aiming for better services in education, therapies and greater public awareness about autism. UK declared the year 2002 as the Autism Awareness Year, with a major conference on autism and a historic service was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral, an Anglican church in London.

(Source: www.autismsunday.org.uk)

How to make Autism Sunday relevant in your local church?

1. Pastor Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches in California, USA, pledged to pray for over 60 million people with autism and Asperger Syndrome back in 2009. Ask your local pastor, priest or prayer partners to pray for children with autism and their family members who care for them.

2. Talk to your church pastor or priest to ask for accommodations for children with autism. Sunday schools or youth groups may also offer special lessons in a small group setting to accommodate their special needs. It is good to also volunteer your own services in the church where you worship, like offer to be the teacher aide in your child’s class, or custodian for Sunday school materials, or offer to distribute snacks to kids.

3. You may also involve older children with autism in church, like volunteering for them to arrange chairs in the fellowship, set up the computer and sound system, or join the worship leader during singing, or play musical instruments. Again, it will all depend on the child’s skill and the willingness of the church to accommodate your children’s needs.

4. If you have a loved one with autism, or a friend of a family member who has a child with autism, show your support by wearing the Angels Walk for Autism T-shirt during Autism Sunday, February 13, 2011. Show you care. Order now at 7-903-5496. Hurry, while supply lasts!