City of Kawartha Lakes marks Autism Awareness Month

DAN CEARNS The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: The City of Kawartha Lakes recognized Autism Awareness Month, at a meeting, on Tuesday, April 9th.

“On behalf of council, I would like to once again acknowledge the impact Autism has on our community. In Canada, 1 in 50 children are diagnosed every year,” Deputy Mayor, and, Ward 7 Councillor, Charlie McDonald said.

He then spoke of the importance of local community organizations working with Autism in Kawartha Lakes.

“We appreciate the efforts of our local groups, such as the Kawartha Lakes Autism Support Group, who provide education and services [which] foster an understanding to children, families and others who are affected by this disease.”

Autism is defined, by Autism Ontario, as “a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder [which] affects the way a person communicates and relates to people and the world around them.” This organization estimates there are 135,000 autistic people in Ontario.

Earlier this month, on April 2nd, an Autism Awareness flag was raised at Kawartha Lakes City Hall, to mark World Autism Awareness Day.

“This is a time to raise a flag and open our minds to what life on the Autism spectrum might be like for some of our neighbours and friends,” Councillor McDonald said, in a statement.