Mar 31 - Triple A Fun Day To Be Held On World Autism Day
World Autism Day will be marked in Gibraltar on Sunday with the fourth annual Triple A – Awsome Autism Awareness – event being held in Casemates Square.
There will be a family fun day held from 12.30pm to 8pm with plenty of fun events for people of all ages including games, crafts, and Easter Egg hunt and live music, a photo booth and expert speakers.
Mum-of-three Lesley Chadwick, who is organising Sunday’s event, is hoping the place will be packed with people helping to raise funds for Little Smiles and raise awareness for Autism.
Lesley, whose seven-year-old son Alfee has autism, said: “Alfee was diagnosed when he was two, and the early intervention he has had is unbelievable and part of the reason why I started Triple A. He has come such a long way and is a success story to the system and the school.
“It shows that you can intervene and help your child become part of society. He is really intelligent, and he can learn, and he is in a semi-mainstream school. He’s in Notre Dame School now, and he’s come from St Martin’s School.”
Lesley praises the schools for their work that they do together, and highlights the good work carried out by members of the staff who are trained to work with children with autism, including aides who help individual children in schools.
Lesley adds: “People may be scared of getting the correct diagnosis for their child, but they don’t know how much support and how much help there is there.
“As long as you know, and you’re open to it and you’re willing your child to get the right help, then they’re there for everything and it is a good system.”
Lesley says her children Harrvey, 8, and Alfee’s twin sister Evelyn, have been wonderful with their brother, adding they have been the best medicine.
The event on Sunday is open to all children, including those with any disorders or disabilities, and Lesley adds that there’s no pressure on the day and no judgment on any child.
As from last year, Lesley has had the support from Grand Home Care, which has helped with helping the event grow. And this year she also has the backing from the Department of Education.
She is hoping that together with the other events that will be held in Gibraltar throughout April, more awareness will be raised for autism, an early diagnosis for it and to help remove the stigma and the fear parents may be facing for their children.
With plenty of fun activities planned for Sunday, the Miss Gibraltar, Mr Gibraltar, Mrs Gibraltar and Dream Girls winners will be on hand to help out for the day.
The event will kick off with a performance by Danza Academy and hosted by Gibraltar Live Music Society’s David Diaz.
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