TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Wednesday, April 2, is World Autism Day. It is a day where people across the globe celebrate the support, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with autism. That’s why Wednesday morning, the Mayor of Clinton signed a proclamation bringing awareness to the disability.
Mayor Jack Gilfoy signed the proclamation declaring April as Autism Awareness Month at Central Elementary School. He did so after a mother of an autistic child at the school reached out to him asking to sing the proclamation.
Her son Malcolm is like most kids he loves to play video games, read and play with his younger brother, but his mom, Suzanne Gillies-Smith, said he didn’t speak until he was 4 years old and is still delayed when it comes to communicating.
“I didn’t expect it to actually happen so I’m very happy with it and I’m glad that you know there’s not only awareness of autism and what people can do to embrace autistic individuals but that real acceptance, especially here at my son’s school, seeing that has been really great,” said Gillies-Smith.
In the mayor’s proclamation, he said autistic people deserve to be recognized, respected, and fully included in all aspects of society. He went on to say that Autism Awareness Month is an opportunity to move beyond awareness and into action.
“A lot of people don’t realize what it is,a lot of people don’t know where they can go for help, who they can talk to, and I think this can help bring awareness to the families that do have children with autism that might be able to help them.,” said Mayor Gilfoy.
Gillies-Smith said that every parent that has a child with autism has different struggles, but together as a community, they can bring more awareness and support to individuals with autism.
“You know everyone comes to this from their own experience. You know some people are still at the beginning of their journey, they just got their child diagnosed, some people are, you know, raising autistic adults and there dealing with a different stage but together all of us can kinda bridge those gaps for one another. It really does take a community to make sure that our most vulnerable are protected and cared for,” said Gillies-Smith.
She adds that Wednesday was special not only because of the mayor’s proclamation but also because it was special for Malcolm to see the people closest to home supporting him.
“Seeing people show up for him is important. So, today his grandmother was with us, his teachers, his therapist, his principal, and the mayor. I think that seeing people there for him even if he doesn’t fully understand why is really important, and I think it will mean a lot to him. Well, get a special little treat later today cause I think it’s important to celebrate people for all of their abilities and skills they have.”
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