Tonga is celebrating World Autism Awareness Day with a special prayer service on Sunday, 2 April at the Mango Tree Centre in Houmakelikao organized by Autism Tonga.

Families and friends of the 16 autistic children in Tonga will be the guests of honour at the service.

In addition to the prayer service, Autism Tonga is calling all Tongans who wish to show their support by wearing light blue clothing during the month of April or by purchasing a hand-made pin to wear on their blouses and shirts.

This year’s theme “Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination” set by the United Nations (UN) highlights that persons with autism are empowered when they make their own decisions to living their lives.

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said in his message supporting the theme that everyone should “play a part in changing attitudes toward persons with autism and in recognizing their rights as citizens, who, like everyone else, are entitled to claim those rights and make decisions for their lives in accordance with their own will and preferences”.

He added that persons with autism need support to help them exercise their rights and freedom to make their own choices.

“With access to the support they need and choose, they will be empowered to face the key milestones in every person’s life, such as deciding where and with whom to live, whether to get married and establish a family, what type of work to pursue, and how to manage their personal finances.”

In Tonga, people are aware of Autism but many don’t understand what it means to live with it. A person diagnosed with autism has difficulty speaking and communicating. They can individually have their own unique sensory problems and most also have repetitive behaviours and social-interaction difficulties. 

Children displaying these symptoms are encouraged to contact Autism Tonga to better understand the condition.