Awareness event about autism gathers parents and children in the fun race
Inclusion, respect and union. These were some of the most repeated words during the 3rd edition of the Autism Awareness Walk and fun race. The event, promoted by Nova Iguaçu City Hall in partnership with Private Clinics, was held on Saturday morning (26), at Vitória Square, in the neighborhood of Luz. More than 400 people, including parents and children, were present at the event alluding to “April Azul”, month of awareness of autism.
About one hundred students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (TEA) of the Municipal Education Network had fun in the action that was attended by the Municipal Secretariats of Education (Semed), Health (Semas), General Assistance and Ombudsman (Semago) and the Women of Nova Iguaçu (Semori).
“We are in the third edition of the Fun Race and each year the audience is greater. Our goal is to bring information and guidance on ASD to people and provide children with a moment of leisure with many games, interaction and entertainment,” explains the Special Education coordinator of Nova Iguaçu, Nathália Araujo de Sá.
The fun race was held in a 400 -meter course from Luz Avenue where parents and children could have the experience of running side by side. This was the case of Luca Borges, 15, who ran in the company of his mother, the administrative assistant Amanda Borges, 44.
“This type of event is super important because it brings awareness and knowledge of the unknown. Many people have prejudice because they do not master the subject. Just understand that each individual is unique and has their specificity, but it can go too far,” says Amanda.
For a long time, Amanda and her husband, Fábio Diniz de Freitas, 47, Luca's father, kept their son in private schools in Nova Iguaçu. Three years ago the couple transferred him, by choice, to the Monteiro Lobato.
“The public school provided us with a support that no private school brought us. Na in Monteiro Lobato, our child has all the necessary support with mediator, great teachers, easy adaptation content, besides the resource room,” says Fábio.
In addition to the race for children with ASD, the present audience participated in a one kilometer walk through the streets of Bairro da Luz. The goal was to draw the attention of residents and traders in the region to the cause.
The event also had the services of the City Hall as the active search for updating and registration in CadÚnico, vaccination, medical and dental care, performing rapid tests, among others. Physical education professionals, health, educators and private sector therapists also offered different care during the action.