St. Bernadette’s Special School in Letterkenny, Donegal will #LightItUpBlue this Friday to mark World Autism Awareness Day.
The Donegal school is asking other businesses and schools across the country to join the campaign to help create awareness about autism and the challenges that face people and families living with it.
Senior 2B class at St. Bernadette’s Special School (l-r) are Kieran Irwin, Ciaran Morning, Leah Mitchell, Henry Mc Menamin, Sarah Mc Gurk, Mr Shiels, Mrs Hamilton and Mrs Mc Ginley.
The goal of World Autism Awareness Day is to join an international community where hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world to “Light It Up Blue” in recognition of people with autism and their families.
Located in Letterkenny, St. Bernadette’s Special School caters for children in Donegal with mild learning disabilities, and welcomes children aged 4 to 18 to the school. Twenty-two children diagnosed with autism attend St. Bernadette’s.
School principal John Haran says while more people are aware of autism, it is important to keep the conversation alive and realise the challenges people living with autism face every day.
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Mr Haran said: “World Autism Awareness Day takes place on April 2 and the annual event is a brilliant way to encourage and remind people of the challenges that people living with autism face on a daily basis. We are using it as an opportunity to #LightItUpBlue and shine a light on the unique talents of children with autism.”
He added: “The green campaign for St. Patrick’s Day really brought the community together with beautiful images of landmarks and buildings from across the county, reminding us of our heritage, so we are asking local businesses, community groups, schools and families across Ireland to join us on our campaign and #LightItUpBlue on April 2 to highlight World Autism Awareness Day. Whether you wear your favourite blue jumper, add blue filters to your lights or create a poster, we want to see your efforts and tag us in your social media posts.”
Tag pictures using the username @stbernadettesspecialschool and add the hashtags #LightItUpBlueWithStBernadettes and #LightItUpBlue. For more information on the school and enrollment visit www.stbernadettesschool.eu.
St. Bernadette’s Special School is asking businesses and organisations to #LightItUpBlue for World Autism Day on April 2. St. Bernadette’s Special School, Letterkenny Junior Certificate Level 2A class. Teacher Miss Donna McGinley pictured with Emily Reid, Felix Connors, Robert Davis, Darragh Kerr and Melissa Matthews.
JC1 class at St. Bernadette’s Special School back row (l to R) are Mr Mc Glinchey, James Mc Daid, Oisin Whoriskey Coyle and Mrs Black front row (l to Front row (l to r) are Shauna Mc Fadden, Rhianna Holmes and Holly Mc Daid.