Apr 02 - Sacramento Works Towards Raising Awareness of Autism
Marking World Autism Day today, Minister for Social Services Samantha Sacramento has insisted that the Government is working to improve the quality of care and standards for all children, young people and adults with disabilities, including autism.
Autism is a spectrum condition, meaning that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways.
Commenting further on the event and the disorder, the Minister said, ‘with the aim of removing the many myths surrounding autism we have provided training for staff working with people with this condition across Gibraltar. In March 2013, a one day conference was organised by the Ministry but delivered by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD). Over 140 Care Agency staff members from the learning disability service and the Children’s and Families and Adult departments of Social Services attended as well as 90 colleagues from other Government departments including the Department of Education.
‘In November 2013, we offered training on Understanding Learning Disabilities, also delivered by BILD. This was attended by staff from the Care Agency and was again opened up to other Government departments including the Department of Education, the Royal Gibraltar Police, and the Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority. In addition, autism is now incorporated into the core-training programme for all Care Agency staff.
‘There is one thing that people with ASD want and need and that is greater awareness. We want people to understand autism and to accept people with autism as they are. People with autism and their families strive for a greater understanding. We therefore understand that training and raising awareness are key.
‘Gibraltar’s Government is committed to Equality. At the Care Agency, as a specific provider of a disability service at St Bernadette’s Resource Centre and Dr Giraldi Home and at Social Services, we are continuously striving to improve. Through my Ministry for Equality, we are able to focus on issues of disability and more importantly accessibility and co-ordinate these through other Government departments.
‘Today, in order to raise awareness of Autism we will provide an information desk between 7pm and 8pm at the Parliament lobby and, as many countries around the world, we will illuminate an iconic building in blue. 15 year old Andrew Lane will be pressing the switch to light up the Parliament building. Andrew was diagnosed with autism at an early age. He is passionate about movies and is extremely knowledgeable about directors and actors. He also enjoys current affairs and is an avid follower of world news.
‘We are now working with the newly formed charity Autism Support Gibraltar. Given this Government’s open door policy, the charity is are already working with the Minister for Health on various initiatives. I have met with them recently and am looking forward to working together and supporting them as a group.’
