Rotary partners Health, Education ministries for Autism awareness

Thursday, 17 February 2022 01:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Autism awareness is growing in Sri Lanka, but it is growing slowly and only through the hard work of institutions, initiatives, and dedicated individuals.

A 2009 study in the country found an autism prevalence of 1.07%, meaning that it affects 1 in 93 children between 18 and 24 months. However, it is seen that there is enormous potential for people with Autism to lead a perfect normal life if detected early, said the Rotary’s project Chairman Harold Sandrasagara.

The project is driven by Rotary Club of Colombo Reconnections which is a club that specialises in project management, said Rakitha Jayatunga PC.

Worldwide, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to be somewhere between 0.19 to 11.6 per 1,000 people, or 0.02% to 1.16% of the world’s population. However, the actual number might well be higher, as many countries do not have a robust system of screening, diagnosing, and recording autism numbers. In Sri Lanka it is not clear but it is estimated to be a sizeable number of children and adults with diagnosed or undiagnosed ASD that must be addressed, said Rotary in a communique.

Rotary Club of Colombo Reconnections championed the ‘Stop the Spread’ project in 2020 that went on to launch a COVID-19 Control Environment certification together with Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) under the able leadership of Dr. Siddhika Senaratne. The project went on to win a Global Award of Rotary People of Action by Rotary International.

It was a top six project globally which is the power of the club in driving projects, said Dr. Rohantha Athukorala at the event graced by Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children Director General Dr. G Wijesuriya, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe and Secretary to the Ministry of Education Prof. Kabilan C.K. Perera.

The uniqueness of the project branded as ‘Accept’ is that a dedicated website of Autism was launched by the dignitaries.