Students and staff donned blue and sold crafts to observe World Autism Awareness Day at Olds' Horizon School on April 2.This is the first year the school, which serves students with special needs, has marked the occasion.“We're trying to set a tradition at this school so that our community is aware it is something to celebrate,” said Debbie Haugen, an administrative support worker at the school. “The very uniqueness of our students is what we celebrate.”Students at the school sold crafts and baked goods with proceeds going toward the school's new playground fund.“Every child is contributing with their own ability. Whatever they can contribute, that's what they're doing,” Haugen said.The United Nations first declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in 2007, aiming to build awareness of the cognitive disorder, which affects brain development, social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication. The Canadian government first recognized the day in 2012.April is also considered Autism Awareness Month.“I think as we educate in the community, I think that will be beneficial to our kids so that there's an acceptance,” Haugen said. “I think globally, we're looking to that acceptance, that these kids are wonderful, they have so much to give so it's just a good way to start.”According to Haugen, most of the 35 students at the Horizon School have autism.She also said that autism is on the rise, with rates increasing by 233 per cent since the 1970s, affecting four boys for every [email protected]
