UK Disability Resource of Disabled Needs

AUTISM SUNDAY - THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR AUTISM AND ASPERGER'S SYNDROME

Sunday 10th February 2008

Autism Sunday - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome was launched in 2002 Autism Awareness Year in the UK by parents and carers of a boy with autism, Ivan and Charika Corea. Autism Sunday was launched with a historic inaugural service at St.Paul's Cathedral attended by children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Autism Sunday takes place in the second sunday of February and the news has been shared over the internet - Christianity Magazine, Church Times, Inspire Magazine have from time to time written about it.

There are over 500,000 peole with autism in the UK, over 90,000 children with autism, according to UK researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism. On Autism Sunday churches of all denominations have been asked to remember the parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in prayer. Information went out to church leaders about Autism Sunday.

International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome

*Pray for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

*Pray for greater awareness of the condition.

*Pray for better public services in health, education, specialist speech therapy and respite care.

*Pray for tolerance and understanding towards people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

*Pray for access to training and jobs for people with autism and Asperger's syndrome.

*Pray for the sick, the elderly the shut-in.

*Pray for parents and carers of children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

*Pray for national governments that they will provide public services and listen to the voices of disability communities.

*Pray for teachers in mainstream schools and special schools that they will think of real educational strategies to help children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

*Pray that governments will build, staff and resource specialist autism school or autism units with sensory rooms to support children who need specialised, structured help.

*Pray for medical professionals as they reach out to all people with autism and Asperger's syndrome.

*Pray for the improvement of communication and social skills for children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

UK AUTISM

On Wednesday 26th January 2008 a Day for Autism in Parliament was organised by the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. Peers and MPs of all parties reached out to parents, carers and all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. MPs of all parties are currently signing an early day motion on autism - EDM 705 in the House of Commons. MPs have also tabled a series of questions on autism.

* Please pray for the call by Peers in the House of Lords for the Prime Minister to set up an Autism Taskforce. Please pray that the Government will consult more widely with other Government Departments, the Voluntary Sector, Parentss Groups, Community Groups and Faith Groups.

* Pray for the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Children's Secretary Ed Balls that they will see the suffering that some parents, carers and people with autism are going through - that they will genuinely try to provide public services for all. Please pray that the Prime Minister will heed the call for a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action on autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

* Pray for Lee Scott's AUTISM BILL currently going through parliament. The second reading is in the House of Commons on the 9th of May 2008. Lee Scott is MP for Ilford North and a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health. The Autism Bill has the support of MPs of all parties.Pray for Lee Scott who has been championing the cause of autism in the House of Commons.

* Pray for the Christians in Parliament Group, that MPs belonging to this group will 'speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves' and lobby on behalf of those who are suffering without statements, without public services and for the poor.

EARLY DAY MOTION ON AUTISM SUNDAY

http://www.bloggernews.net/113674

(Westminster, UK) Parliamentarians of all parties have signed early day motion 874 supporting Autism Sunday - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. The Autism Sunday EDM was tabled in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster by leading parliamentarian, David Drew.

Autism Sunday, the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome falls on 10th February this year. Church of all denominations have been asked to mark the day to remember the 60 million people with autism worldwide and over 500,000 people in the United Kingdom in prayer. According to UK researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism. Prayers will also be said for the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Children’s Secretary Ed Balls that they reach out to some parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome who are suffering without public services in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care and support them.

Autism Sunday was initiated in 2002 by parents and carers Ivan and Charika Corea who have a son Charin who has ASD. They launched the Autism Awareness Campaign UK in 2000 and have been campaigning on all fronts. The autism campaigners are calling on the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Children’s Secretary Ed Balls to launch a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Church leaders, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rt.Rev.Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of York, Rt.Rev.John Sentamu, the Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Cormack Murphy-O’Connor, the General Secretary of the Evangelical Allaince, Joel Edwards and other church leaders around the world have been urged to speak out on Autism Sunday.

MPs of all parties in the House of Commons in the United Kingdom are signing the early day motion on Autism Sunday. EDM 874 now before parliament reads:

‘That this House pays tribute to churches and religious organisations who are marking Autism Sunday, the international day of prayer for autism and Asperger’s syndrome, on Sunday 10th February 2008; notes that Autism Sunday was launched in 2002 Autism Awareness Year by parents and carers Ivan and Charika Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK with an inaugural historic service at St Paul’s Cathedral, London; calls upon 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; and requests the Government to support Autism Awareness Campaign UK’s call for a national strategy on autism and a cohesive 10 year plan on autism and Asperger’s, as well as supporting Baroness Uddin’s proposal for an autism taskforce.’

Recently a day for autism was organised in the Palace of in London, UK. Baroness Uddin speaking in the House of Lords called on the Government to set up an Autism Taskforce and consult more widely, Lee Scott MP introduced his Autism Bill in the House of Commons and MPs of all parties signed Harry Cohen MP’s early day motion 705 on autism.

Churches around the world have been asked to act on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome and help people in local communities. There are many children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, in parts of Africa and Asia who have no public services at all.

The song for autism, ‘Open Every Door’ sung by British musician Rozagy who has Asperger’s Syndrome and written by Sri Lanka born singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis has been re-released by Media Eye Music to mark Autism Sunday.

For further information on Autism Sunday:
http://autismsunday.tripod.com

To purchase the song for autism, ‘Open Every Door’ released by Media Eye Music:
http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com/rozagy.html

PRAYER LINE

Specific needs

There comes a moment in all of our lives when we just need someone to listen, yet we don't know where to turn.

On The Nationwide Christian Trust helpline you will find individuals who understand that life has its stresses and challenges and that there are times when you need to be anonymous. They will listen and support you as you work towards your own solutions, or as you simply off-load. They will always be ready to pray with you at your request.

Your prayer requests will be added to the Nationwide Christian Trust prayer diary so that you can know you are remembered before God, who loves to give good gifts to His children.

For further information please see the Nationwide Christian Trust website:

0870 600 6170 is the Nationwide Christian Trust prayerline Mon-Fri.