Autism Rainbow Day..... Friday 30th April 2010

On Friday 30th April 2010, Rainbowland Autism Services Inc. will be hosting its inaugural AUTISM RAINBOW DAY as part of its global autism awareness campaign.


On Autism Rainbow Day, we are urging businesses, schools and social groups from all over the world to help raise awareness (not money) for autism by wearing different colored T-Shirts that represent the colors of the rainbow. A one page information sheet will be available for download on our website in April 2010. We ask that in lieu of donations, people simply read the information sheet. (There will be a facility to make donations on our website for those people who would like to make a contribution towards future awareness campaigns, or you could raise money for your local autism group.)

At Rainbowland Autism Services, we believe that the lives of individuals living with autism should be respected and celebrated by the entire community. Without the amazing gifts that autistic people give to the world, we would not have the same level of innovation and creativity we have today. People with autism deserve the respect and support of their communities to help them achieve their potential, and where possible, live meaningful and independent lives.

We also feel strongly about the lack of support and essential services many people living with autism and their families experience on a daily basis. Parents and carers are more times than not pushed to the limits trying to manage the medical complications that can present in their child with autism. All too many carers are so badly sleep deprived that it is equivalent to torture, while at the same time living lives of social isolation because the general public are quick to judge a child with autism’s perceived ‘bad’ behavior because they understand nothing or very little about the condition.

With some recent studies suggesting that as many as 1 in 64 have autism and others using figures like 1 in 160, the situation is clear….. something has to be done NOW. Much work MUST be done to help young people with autism reach their potential, autistic adults have meaningful lives that are not in isolation from the community and to help families cope with the often extreme demands that having a child with autism places on them, through no fault of the child.

As the parent of three children on the autism spectrum, I am clear in my mind about this...... The parents/carers of children with autism love their children unconditionally, and for who they are regardless of the daily challenges. People with autism don’t want to be cured, but want to be accepted and recognized by the community at large for their individual gifts, talents and the contributions they could and do make to society. The parents/carers are left to resolve the medical problems associated with autism, when their plight should be supported by much better public services, which includes medical professionals who can recognize and appropriately TREAT the adverse medical symptoms of autism in a child. And lastly….. every child with autism deserves the human right to an appropriate education.

With the right amount of autism awareness, we can start turning the current situation around. So, we need your help to make Autism Rainbow Day a global success. Help us by spreading the word, and getting prepared to participate on Autism Rainbow Day.

HAPPY RAINBOWS,

Allison Dix
Director
Rainbowland Autism Services Inc.

Announcing our Official Autism Rainbow Day Logo

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Many thanks to our sponsor Prana Design Studios for the logo and Kristie Dix (11yo with Asperger's Syndrome) for painting the picture.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM RAINBOWLAND AUTISM SERVICES

December is a great time to reflect on what has been achieved throughout the year.  On reflection, it has been an amazing year for us.  We find ourselves in a position that wasn't anticipated, but is not taken for granted.

Below is a summary of our achievements:

  • Establishment of a weekend family support group called ‘Rainbow Land Play Time’ where the whole family can relax and enjoy each other’s company in a supportive environment;

• More than 5,000 global members of our Facebook ‘Rainbow Day – Global Autism Awareness Campaign’ cause;

• More than 1,000 global members of our Rainbowland Autism Services Facebook Fan Page;

• Establishment of various online support groups for families living with autism and various professionals;
• Advocated on behalf of the Australian autism community through official meetings with the Prime Minister - Kevin Rudd, the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services – Bill Shorten and various Government Departments.
• Published articles in hard print and global e-newsletters, including an article called ‘The Gifts of Autism’ published in the Proteus Leadership Centres’ proteuslife magazine in November 2009. We have also had various stories printed about our work in the local newspaper.
• Development of blogs: www.rainbowlandautismservices.blogspot.com & www.rainbowlandplaytime.blogspot.com
• Incorporated our organisation in November 2009;
• We officially launched our global autism awareness campaign through the development and email distribution of our ‘Autism Awareness Information Sheet’. The information sheet was written for us by co-author of the Australian Autism Handbook, Seana Smith. Our Autism Awareness Information Sheet has been distributed world-wide.

Everyone at Rainbowland Autism Services would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and joyous 2010.

HAPPY RAINBOWS,

Allison Dix

Director

DONATIONS

On Friday 13th November 2009, the City of Tea Tree Gully Mayor, Miriam Smith, hosted the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast,which was organised and coordinated by Peter Lee and the Adelaide North Chapters.  Our family support group, Rainbow Land Play Time, was the lucky recipient of the morning's charity donation of $2,300.00.


On Monday 7th December, the newly formed Board of Rainbowland Autism Services Inc. were invited to attend The Proteus Leadership Centres' Leadership Breakfast in Adelaide.  The CEO, Des Penny, unexpectedly presented us with a $500 donation.


We are extremely grateful to both the Adelaide North Chapters and The Proteus Leadership Centres' for their generous donations.  The money will enable the Rainbowland familes to have some valuable and fun time together in a supportive environment during the summer school holidays.  A belated Christmas party is planned for the 10th January at the Greenwith Community Centre amongst other activities.

 Click here for the Proteus Leadership Centres' website

Rainbow Land Play Time Family Support Group

For all your latest information on Rainbow Land Play Time, a Family Support Group with a playgroup and kid's club (social skills group), go to: Rainbow Land Play Time Blog 

Rainbow Land Play Time is held at the Greenwith Community Centre, Greenwith, South Australia. The premises are proudly provided by the City of Tea Tree Gully as part of their Neighbourhood Development Program. Much appreciation and gratitude goes to the City of Tea Tree Gully, especially their Neighbourhood Development and Home and Community Care Teams for their ongoing support.

Rainbow Day Sponsorship

We are looking for Corporate Sponsorships to support the future work of Rainbowland Autism Services.  As a Rainbowland corporate sponsor, you will receive a number of wonderful benefits.

Autism Rainbow Day - Global Awarness Campaign is just that..... it is global.  We already have more than 5,000 members on our Facebook Cause and anticipate we will reach at least 10,000 members by May 2010.

Here's your chance to get National and International exposure while supporting a  very important and worthwhile cause.

WHY SUPPORT RAINBOWLAND AUTISM SERVICES?

Rainbowland Autism Services (RAS) prides itself on being an up and coming modern organisation supporting families living with autism from all corners of the globe. In addition to all the support provided via the internet, RAS is committed to facilitating an ongoing global autism awareness campaign. Each year during the month of April, RAS will be running its Autism Rainbow Day campaign to continue to increase community awareness about autism.  The goal is to each year increase the number of countries participating in Autism Rainbow Day.

All the work that RAS undertakes comes from a deep passion to improve serious issues for families such as the need for more of and affordable therapy and the issue of social inclusion. Not many people realise how isolating having a child with autism can be simply because society is not groomed to accept, nor cater for the complexities that is autism.

Sadly, the new prevalence rates for autism are frightening.  Although countries like Australia have an official rate of around 1 in 160 children as having autism, new studies around the world suggest the 'REAL' figure is more like 1 in 100 or even 1 in 60.  What is even more frightening is that the prevalence rate for  boys is said to be approx 1 in 38. Autism Rates Rocket – 1 in 38 British Boys – Cambridge Study (link). It is hard to believe that in 1987, the global prevalencee rate for autism was more like 1 in 10,000.

With the founders of RAS having three children on the autism spectrum, they really understand what it is that families need to feel supported and what important issues they need to advocate for such as education, which has become a social crisis. 

In March 2009, the Dix family founded Rainbow Land Play Time, a family support group with a playgroup and kid's club. There has already been nearly 25 families utilise this free group. In addition, some very strong, supportive, and lasting friendships have already been formed between the parents and the children.  What is unique about this group is that it is held on a weekend so the whole family can attend, including all the siblings, both parents and any support networks the families might like to bring along.  The group loves to celebrate milestones achieved by the children in a very positive and supportive way.  It is also an ongoing group in that families come along when it is suitable for them and don't leave the group unless they want to. For more information about Rainbow Land Play Time, have a look at the group's blog at: RLPT Blog

At present, RAS is not provided with any funding at a State or Federal level and is proud of the fact that so much has already been achieved without this level of financial security. Rainbow Land Play Time is given vital financial support through small donations and local community grants, particularly from the City of Tea Tree Gully.  The group is able to provide much better quality services due to these kind donations.

You can find videos on Rainbowland Autism Serices' YouTube Channel at: Rainbowland Autism Services YouTube Channel 

For all sponsorship enquiries, please email:

 rainbowlandautismservices@gmail.com with the Subject Heading: 'Sponsorship'