Latest news with #WorldAutismAwarenessMonth
The Star
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
S'gor expands OKU programmes
Anfaal (back row, centre) cutting a cake with the children during the event in Shah Alam. SELANGOR is set to launch Yayasan Insan Istimewa Selangor, a RM4mil foundation that will take over and expand work currently handled by Jabatan Anak Istimewa Selangor (Anis). The foundation, expected to begin operating in August, will focus on delivering care, aid and development programmes for persons with disabilities (OKU) including children, youth and adults. Selangor women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari said the state would be allocating RM3mil for programme development and RM1mil for the foundation's administrative operations in the initial stages. The foundation, she said, would also be registered, allowing it to receive tax-exempt donations and public funding. 'With this foundation, we aim to build a Selangor that is inclusive and compassionate, where no one is left behind,' Anfaal said during a Hari Raya gathering in Shah Alam which highlighted autism inclusion. The event, jointly organised by Wanita Berdaya Selangor and Jabatan Anis, included autism-friendly activities, performances and exhibits. The event, which also served to commemorate World Autism Awareness Month, drew more than 1,000 participants. Wanita Berdaya Selangor is a state-linked agency focused on empowering women through education, entrepreneurship and community leadership, while Jabatan Anis provides early intervention and therapy for children with special needs. Many of the children who participated in the event had benefitted from the state's early intervention therapy programmes. Between March 27 and April 18, Jabatan Anis disbursed RM500,000 in aid to families, covering medical costs, therapy tools and educational support. 'We focused on ensuring that new applicants, especially those who had never received aid, were prioritised,' said Anfaal. Yayasan Insan Istimewa Selangor is set to expand this support system to reach more individuals with disabilities. Anfaal said the formation of the foundation was aligned with the state's wider care economy policy on uplifting care recipients and caregivers including parents, women and the elderly through structured and long-term welfare initiatives. Selangor was also expected to launch a statewide OKU policy providing a comprehensive framework for improving accessibility support services and social inclusion, she said. During the event, five single mothers affected by the Putra Heights explosion were each presented with RM2,000 in cash aid from Wanita Berdaya Selangor. 'These women were among those most affected and the contribution sends the message that the state sees them, supports them and stands in solidarity with them,' Anfaal said. — By AYUNA SHAMELIN
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Autistic communities coming together online
April Marks Autism Awareness Month Autism is not a puzzle to be solved — it's a world to be understood. This Autism Awareness Month, listen, learn, and celebrate every voice. Image: Ya'eesh Collins April marks World Autism Awareness Month, a time often filled with pastel puzzle pieces, corporate platitudes, and well-meaning infographics. But beyond the official campaigns and hashtags lies something far more powerful. Online platforms such as TikTok have become spaces where autistic people are building their voices together. These spaces function as support groups, stages, soapboxes, and sanctuaries. They offer something traditional awareness campaigns often lack: authenticity. Stacy Hart, known online as KingLady_CPT, never set out to become a voice for autistic adults. A content creator and social media strategist by profession, she started her TikTok page to entertain, experiment, and connect. What she didn't expect was that the platform would also become her lifeline, helping her process a late autism diagnosis and find a community that changed her life. Hart's career was already built on social media strategies and content creation when she began using TikTok as a personal and professional testing ground. Her first post after her autism diagnosis was raw: a candid car rant about rejecting the disabled label. A video she later deleted. "That video isn't something I'm proud of, but it shows how shocked I was. Overnight, I was being told I was disabled," she reflects. Since her diagnosis at 29, she has worked through internalised ableism, coming to embrace her identity and finding gratitude for a community that chose education over cancellation. TikTok, she says, is uniquely suited for autistic creators. "It lets you share your special interests without needing the energy for traditional socialising," she explains. Still, she is clear-eyed about the platform's dark side, where bigotry and bad-faith interactions exist. Below, Hart addresses the debate around seeking a professional autism diagnosis. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ While formal diagnoses can open access to services and support, she points out that the process can also be costly and emotionally draining. For many, self-identification is a valid path, particularly given the systemic barriers to formal diagnosis. Accepting her diagnosis has led her to better understand her limits, both socially and emotionally. 'Autism isn't a motivation issue. It's a capacity issue,' she explains. 'And if there's going to be a change, we have to fight for it.' Her philosophy today is simple: block and protect your peace. "Authenticity doesn't mean tolerating abuse." For Hart, autistic people don't need a cure. They need understanding, better diagnostic tools, and real post-diagnosis support. She knows her voice is just one piece of the puzzle — but it's a piece she's proud to contribute to. "Autism isn't all that I am, but it shapes everything I do. Speaking up is exhausting. But if we want a better world, we have to keep fighting," she says. TikTok: A New Kind of Advocacy On TikTok, autism awareness takes a different form. It is fluid, visual, and often unexpectedly joyful. Scrolling through the #ActuallyAutistic tag reveals creators using trending audios and short-form skits to depict the highs and lows of life on the spectrum. This is autism in motion: vibrant, funny, sad, celebratory, and deeply relatable. TikTok, often dismissed as superficial, has quietly evolved into a space for identity-making, advocacy, and community. Under hashtags like #ActuallyAutistic and #Neurodivergent, creators are offering layered expressions of their inner worlds and reshaping how the public understands autism. The same algorithm, often criticised for its lack of transparency, can, at times, amplify marginalised voices and bring overlooked narratives into mainstream visibility. This visibility, however, comes with risk. As creators gain popularity, they are often met with public scrutiny, medical skepticism, or harassment. The boundary between advocacy and exploitation is not always clear. Still, many continue to share their stories, not because they are expected to, but as acts of self-advocacy, self-definition, and cultural authorship. Autistic individuals are not waiting to be represented. They are producing their representation. They are not asking for a seat at the table. They are building entire ecosystems of knowledge, empathy, and resistance. True awareness is not simply about recognizing symptoms. It is about truly listening to stories. And right now, more than ever, those stories are being told. One post, one video, and one hashtag at a time. Autistic creators are reshaping the conversation through online discourse, community building, mutual support, and knowledge creation. Raising Awareness for Autism As the Month of April comes to an end, lets keep the awareness going. Image: AIT
Barnama
30-04-2025
- General
- Barnama
RMHC Malaysia, PlanToys Distribute Toys To Support Children With Autism
KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Bernama) -- The Ronald McDonald House Charities Malaysia (RMHC Malaysia), in collaboration with sustainable toy brand PlanToys Malaysia, recently distributed 3,760 developmental toys to the autism community across the country in conjunction with World Autism Awareness Month. Its president, Datuk Azmir Jaafar, said the initiative supported one of RMHC Malaysia's key programmes - the Ronald McDonald Sensory Room (RMSR), which benefits children with disabilities and autism throughout Malaysia. 'The Ronald McDonald Sensory Room programme is one of our main efforts to assist children with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. 'This collaboration with PlanToys Malaysia enabled us to expand our reach beyond the sensory rooms - directly to families and educators, to support children's development through meaningful play,' he said in a statement. To date, 35 RMSRs have been established nationwide. These rooms are specially designed to support children with autism and other special needs in sensory processing, communication, and cognitive skills through play-based learning. According to the statement, the toys were also distributed to 640 autism and community centres under the Department of Social Welfare to help create richer and more inclusive learning environments. The handover ceremony took place during the 'Inclusion is Kindness' Autsome 2025 campaign - an annual event celebrating inclusivity and support for the autism community, recently held at Sunway Putra Mall. 'RMHC Malaysia also distributed toys as part of its community outreach initiative. To further broaden the impact of this effort, families with autistic children registered as Autsome members at the mall also received the toys for free,' the statement added. -- BERNAMA
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Walkathon held to promote acceptance of Autism
As part of World Autism Awareness Month, a walkathon was conducted in the city on Sunday to promote acceptance of autism by the society. Organised by the Devdan Foundation Learning Centre, in collaboration with the PADHA Trust, the theme of the event was 'Let's Accept Autism – Walk of Hope: Autism Acceptance Walkathon'. The three-km walkathon commenced at the North Gate of Mysuru palace (Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple premises) and concluded at the University of Mysore's Athletic Ground (Oval Ground). The event evoked a good response from the public and was aimed at promoting autism awareness and its acceptance. District Disability Welfare Officer Shankar Gowda Patil flagged off the event. Krishna, psychiatrist at Revive Hospital, Kotera Devaiah, Director of the Devdan Foundation Learning Centre, Saswati Singh, special educator, and Sangeetha, secretary of the PADHA Trust, were among those present. Mr. Shankar Gowda Patil emphasised the importance of early diagnosis of autism and the imperatives of creating greater awareness about it. He said that autism was one of the 21 recognised disabilities. If identified early, timely support and intervention can be provided. The government is committed to extending all necessary assistance in this regard, he added. Ms. Saswati Singh, who has been advocating for autism awareness for nearly three decades, said the prevalence of autism has increased drastically, from one in ten thousand to as high as one in thirty to fifty children. Without government support, such awareness movements are difficult to sustain, she added. Dr. Krishna highlighted the importance of understanding autism, its early identification, and providing care and attention. The participants in the walkathon called for increased awareness, early intervention, and social acceptance of individuals with autism.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Graham Academy students take over top Wilkes-Barre positions
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — In celebration of April's World Autism Awareness Month, a group of students got to experience first-hand what it's like to be a city leader. A group of students from the Graham Academy took over the top positions in the city of Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Each student sported a sash with their new title: Mayor, police chief, fire chief, and city councilman. All were sworn in before heading out to their respective offices. 'Our Light It Up Blue event is to bring awareness to the community for children and students who are going through the daily routine of having autism,' said Graham Academy Regional Director Carol McGrane. 13-year-old Aiden Temple, the honorary Mayor of Wilkes-Barre, got right to work in the mayor's office. He requested a sparkling water before the questions started flying in. Cruzin' the Square Car show returns for 2025 'These are cameras that we have in the city. Do you think maybe I can get another 20 cameras like this?' Rob Slicker with Wilkes-Barre Parking Enforcement asked. 'Maybe?' Aiden replied. It was a tough call. When 'Mayor Aiden' gathered more information, his answer changed. 'It costs us nothing,' Slicker said. 'Then yes,' Aiden stated. Mayor George Brown says this is the fifth year the Graham Academy has partnered with the city of Wilkes-Barre for Light It Up Blue Day. 'It's a wonderful way to make it a special day for these great people and see what the future might be like. I just love it,' Mayor Brown said. Each student's family was also along for the big day. 'It's exciting, I'm sure he's nervous, but it's very exciting. It's a big position for him to be in for him,' Aiden's Dad, Jason Hawkey, said. Aiden was asked 'So what are your plans as Mayor? What would you like to do?' 'Help the homeless and the homeless animals,' Aiden replied. Archery club's PA Wounded Warriors fundraiser Honorary Police Chief Connor Jacukowicz hit the lights and sirens on the police cruiser. The 14-year-old hopped in the passenger seat to take a ride around the Diamond City. 'I want to help the city,' Conner stated. Police Chief Connor also made a few requests in the mayor's office. '20 police cars?' Connor asked. 'You want the mayor to buy 20 new police cars?' Mayor Brown asked. 'Yes?' Conner replied. The two leaders were able to work together to come to a compromise. 'What about 11?' Aiden proposed. 'Good,' Conner stated. This year's Light It Up Blue event for Autism Awareness will be held on Sunday, May 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
