April 3rd, 2019

World Autism Awareness Day was marked by students and staff across the Waterloo Region District School Board on Tuesday, April 2. Autism touches more than 70 million people globally and approximately 1 in 66 children and youth are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Canada. In 2007, April 2 was designated as World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations General Assembly to increase autism awareness and acceptance across the globe and we continue to mark this important day as we all gain a better understanding of neurodiversity.

Schools throughout the WRDSB showed their support, including the staff and students at Sheppard Public School in Kitchener who sported outfits of blue to demonstrate their commitment to “support, love, understanding, inclusion and raising awareness.”

They weren’t alone – staff from Forest Hill Public School and Northlake Woods Public School wore blue as a visible sign of support of autism awareness and students at their school with autism.

Our school communities also got in on the action, with parents posting their own photos of our students taking part in the day with their blue attire.

We are so proud of the efforts of our staff and students for helping to mark World Autism Awareness Day and the work they do every day to support students with autism in our schools.