A signature campaign was conducted by Kovai Medical Center and Hospital at Brookefields Mall on April 27th. Every year, April 2nd is celebrated as World Autism Day. The day is commemorated in order to raise awareness regarding autism. This year on World Autism Day, Coimbatore turned blue as all monumental buildings were lit in blue. Kovai Medical Center and Hospital had been hosting various awareness activities to create awareness regarding autism. They provided a waiver of 15 % in fees to autism patients.
Mr. Arun Palanisamy, Director of Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, while speaking to SimpliCity shared that "It has been more than two weeks since we began conducting various activities to create awareness regarding autism. We want people to understand that every child is special in their own way. Autism is a disease which can be treated through various therapies. We chose to conclude the awareness program with a signature campaign at the mall so as to make people understand that kids with autism are just like any other normal kid."
Dr.Sujatha Head of Occupational Therapy Department at KMCH said that "Every day we get around 70 to 80 kids with Autism. This shows that the awareness among people has increased. Initially people associated autism with social stigma, but the situation is changing now. People should understand that kids with autism should be accepted like other kids in the society. Many a times by providing continuous therapies and treatment, autistic kids can lead perfectly normal lives. With respect to inclusion and acceptance in society, it all begins at home. It is the parents who need to accept and understand the kid, only then society will follow".
Apart from the signature campaign, few plays were also enacted by students of occupational therapy at KMCH in order to make people understand what autism is and how to identify a kid with autism.
