Autism awareness

April is Autism Awareness Month, which is proudly supported by the Drakenstein Local Tourism Association. Desire Koopman and Wilandre Johnson tied a ribbon around a tree in front of one of Paarl’s oldest historic buildings. De Woning in Main Street also hosts the town’s archives. The Blue Ribbon Project is an initiative launched by the Boland School of Autism, in conjunction with the Drakenstein Chamber of Business, to raise awareness for autism. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication. The prevalence of children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is currently 1 in 88 in the United States, with South African statistics currently estimated at 1 in 158.