Autism Sunday
Autism Sunday | |
---|---|
![]() The International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome | |
Date | Second Sunday in February |
2024 date | February 11, 2024 |
Autism Sunday is held annually on the second Sunday of February. It is also known as the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger Syndrome.
Launch
Autism Sunday was first held in 2002 during Autism Awareness Year in the United Kingdom. It was initiated by parents Ivan and Charika Corea, founders of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK.The inspiration behind this historic idea was their Charin who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and a communication disorder. The organisers urged church leaders and leaders of religious organisations around the world to speak up for autism and Asperger's Syndrome.Cite error: The <ref>
tag has too many names (see the help page).
Autism Sunday 2002 Service at St.Paul's Cathedral
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/London_St._Paul%27s_Cathedral.jpg/150px-London_St._Paul%27s_Cathedral.jpg)
The first ever Service for Autism was held in February 2002 at St.Paul's Cathedral in London. Former Education Ministers of Her Majesty's Government, peers from the House of Lords, celebrities, writers, broadcasters, the media, joined children and people at St. Paul's Cathedral to pray for parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Autism Sunday was featured on BBC News and ITV News.It was also mentioned in the Royal Court Pages of The Times when it was first observed during 2002 Autism Awareness Year in the UK.
Early Day Motion in the House of Commons
History was created in the United Kingdom in 2008, when the first ever Early Day Motion on Autism Sunday was tabled in the House of Commons, in the Palace of Westminster. The motion was sponsored by David Drew MP.Seventy One members of parliament of all parties signed EDM 874 on Autism Sunday calling on the Government to work with all faith communities in order to reach out to parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger's in local communities; urges church leaders and community groups of all denominations to engage with people with autism and Asperger's;Cite error: The <ref>
tag has too many names (see the help page).
Lee Scott (UK Politician) MP (Patron of the UK Autism Foundation) who has championed the cause of autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the House of Commons, praised the work of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. Writing on the ePolitix website he noted: 'Charika and Ivan are doing a first rate job of raising awareness of the difficulties faced by parents of autistic children and I am giving my wholehearted support to their campaign marking Autism Sunday.' Cite error: The <ref>
tag has too many names (see the help page).
Debate in the House of Commons
Autism Sunday was mentioned in a debate in the House of Commons in the British Parliament. David Taylor (British politician) MP mentioned the day and called for action stating that the 'Churches and other religious organisations will be supporting an international day of prayer for those with autism and Asperger’s
syndrome. Will the Leader of the House take this as a bid for a topical debate on the issue, which affects hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country?The conditions are under-recognised and under-resourced and they badly need a national strategy, a national taskforce and a well resourced plan for the future.' Cite error: The <ref>
tag has too many names (see the help page).
In reply, the Leader of the Commons, Harriet Harman MP said: 'For many years, families have struggled to support and care for children with autism, often to a great extent on their own and without the proper back-up of integrated services. There is now a great deal more awareness of the difficulties of autism and Asperger’s syndrome, and a recognition of the importance of early diagnosis and integrated services. I congratulate the Churches on picking this for an international day of prayer, and we would like to work with the Churches, local government and the voluntary sector to ensure that families with a family member who develops autism or Asperger’s have the backing that they need in future.' Cite error: The <ref>
tag has too many names (see the help page).
International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Autism_awareness_ribbon-20051114.png)
Churches of all denominations around the world now remember the millions of people with autism on Autism Sunday, the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome.[1] Organisers estimate there are 60 million people with autism around the world.[1] Many suffer without proper public services in education, health,specialist speech therapy and respite care in several parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia. Autism is now one of the most serious education and health issues facing many nations, the problems have even been recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in New York. United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, paid tribute to the courage of children with autism and their families, who strive every day 'to confront the disability with a powerful combination of determination, creativity and hope.' Cite error: The <ref>
tag has too many names (see the help page).
World Leaders and Autism Sunday
Autism campaigners from around the world. including the United States, called on the US President Barack Obama to spell out his ' vision for autism' to mark Autism Sunday 2009.[2]
World Leaders were urged to speak out on Autism Sunday and share their plans to help parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.[3]
Prayers for Autism
Churches around the world are now using prayers written by parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome who are living in their own communities. Prayers written by the late Vernon Corea, the BBC's Ethnic Minorities Advisor are also being used in church services. His grandson was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.Cite error: The <ref>
tag has too many names (see the help page).
See also
References
- ^ a b "Autism Sunday". 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
- ^ "President Elect Barack Obama has been urged to speak out on Autism Sunday". 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ "Autism Sunday 2009: World Leaders/Church Leaders urged to speak out on Autism". 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
External links
- Autism Sunday Official Website
- Autism Sunday Blog
- Musicians mark Autism Sunday 2008 - World Music Central Feature
- Autism Sunday - Act on Autism Church Urged - Church Times UK Feature
- Autism Sunday - Church Leaders urged to Speak up - Inspire Magazine Feature
- Autism Sunday 2008 - Churches to Pray for Autism - Huliq International News
- Autism Sunday 2008 - Church Leaders urged to speak out on Autism - UK Autism News
- Church Musicians Commemorate Autism Sunday on 11th February 2007 - World Music Central Feature
- 2006 International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
- Reference to Autism Sunday in Woman Alive Magazine
- House of Commons: MPs sign Autism Sunday EDM 874 - Blogger News Network
- Autism Sunday: Archbishops and Leaders urged to Speak Out - Blogger News Network
- British Support on Autism Sunday - Spero News
- News Features on Autism Sunday - DAYLIFE
- Autism and Prayer - Wellsphere
- Autism Sunday - Southport Forums
- Reference to Autism Sunday by the Bishop of Barking Rt.Rev.David Hawkins - Diocese of Chelmsford
- Ilford North MP Lee Scott Backs Campaign Marking Autism Sunday - ePOLITIX.COM
- British Support for Autism Sunday - Newsvine
- Churches of All Denominations urged to take action on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome - Ekklesia
- Autism Sunday - The International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome - Autism Centre Info Website
- Church Musicians will mark Autism Sunday Autism Parents Website
- Autism Sunday - Leonaut.Com The Best on the Web
- Autism Sunday mentioned in Pastoral Psychology Bibliography
- Autism Sunday: Appeal to Archbishop of Canterbury and Church Leaders - Blogger News Network
- BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour - Autism Sunday 2002
- A Day of Prayer for Autism - Autism Sunday - Dimsum Website
- Prayers for Autism-Autism Prayers Tripod Website
- Prayers for Autism - Autism Sunday Ask.Com
- Prayers for Autism - Autism Sunday Eons Online Community
- Autism Sunday - The Methodist Church: Children's Workers' E-News
- For Catholic with autism, before the words came, there was music - Catholic Online
- Dealing With Autism, Lesson by Lesson, in a Quest for First Communion - The New York Times
- Making Sunday 'Special' - Church Times Feature
- Autism Sunday - 8th February 2009 - Blogger News Network
- Autism Sunday - Prayer Suggestions - Aspieweb.net Blog - The Aspergers and Autism Web
- Autism Sunday: President Elect Barack Obama urged to Speak Out on Autism - Blogger News Network
- Autism Sunday - Panoramic Views of Faith and Health: Butch Odom's Blog
- Outside In: Pray on Autism Sunday - yechristian blog
- Churches urged to observe Autism Sunday - Ekklesia News
- Autism Sunday 8th February 2009 - Dr.Buttar's Blog
- President Elect Obama asked to share his vision for autism on Autism Sunday 2009 - Huliq News
- Autism Sunday - Advocacy and Autism Spectrum Disorders - Zimbio News (USA)
- Autism Sunday and President Barack Obama - We Are Autism.Org: The Social Support Network for those living with Autism