The Autism Awareness Campaign UK was a Finalist in the Asian Woman Awards for Excellence 2007 at an evening at the Bangqueting House in London on Saturday 24th November 2007.

Autism was mentioned for the first time at such a gathering. The evening was hosted by Asian Woman Magazine in London. Theevening highlighted the needs of all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Among those who supported Ivan and Charika Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK were Dame Stephanie Shirley and Autism Speaks UK, Baroness Pola Uddin and others.

Sri Lanka's Ambassador for Autism, Gresha Schuilling has released her debut Christmas single, 'Cold Cold Night' in London.

Read the World Music Central article:

http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com/gresha.html

The CD can be ordered for £1.99 plus postage from MediaEye Music: songsign29@yahoo.co.uk or by telephone in the UK: +44(0)1895253192

Liberal Democrats are to raise the serious issues connected with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the House of Commons. Ivan Corea head of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK met with the Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Dr. Vincent Cable in parliament. Dr.Cable pledged to do more for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the UK by raising these matters in the House of Commons.

Mr.Corea presented Dr.Vincent Cable with a copy of the campaign film 'Autism Action,' DVD directed by Ian McLeod.

'Autism is a serious health and education issue. Parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome are looking to parliamentarians of all parties to speak out and act on these issues. People badly need public services in health, education, specialist speech therapy and respite care. I am delighted that Dr. Vincent Cable met with me to discuss autism on a day where there was tremendous activity in parliament,' said Ivan Corea. The Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies Campbell resigned on Monday.

A few months ago Mr. Corea also met with the Conservative Shadow Minister for Schools Nick Gibb in the House of Commons A few weeks ago speaking at the London Conference on Autism at the Bridge Community Venue in South Woodford in Autism Awareness Week, Lee Scott MP (who is a member of the Select Committee on Health) pledged to join forces with Ivan Corea to lobby the Prime Minister on autism.

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK is calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to launch a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action on autism and Asperger's Syndrome. This includes launching an AUTISM COMPACT with employers to enable those who can work to access the labour market.

Over 500,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum; according to estimates over 90,000 children have autism. According to UK researchers 1 in 100 children in the UK may have autism.

(London, UK) A major conference on autism was organised in London by Rita Beaumont to mark Autism Awareness Week in the United Kingdom. The London Conference was held at the Bridge Community Venue in South Woodford, London on Saturday 6th October - this was the only London Conference in Autism Awareness Week.

Autism Awareness Week was organised by the National Autism Alliance from 1st October to 7th October. The London Conference was organised by Rita Beaumont and aimed at parents, carers, volunteers and professionals who are concerned for the people who have autism and who want to promote positive action. The presentations included: autism in Redbridge; what is autism? the way forward; making a difference and raising awareness; communication and social interaction; and personal perspectives on autism. There was a choice of seminars on becoming autism friendly and in for the long haul. Speakers addressed a packed audience at the Bridge Community Venue. The conference was deemed a real success by the participants who came from all over London.

Rita Beaumont expressed the need to continue to raise awareness of the issues evolving around autism and Asperger's Syndrome not only in Redbridge but across the United Kingdom. Sue Blows, Headteacher of Hatton School shared the history of autism and looked into what autism was all about. Lee Scott MP who has been championing the cause of autism in the House of Commons revealed his plan of action and has pledged to take the issues of autism and Asperger's Syndrome further when parliament is reconvened later this month. Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK urged the participants to make a difference by getting involved in campaigning. 'It is only through activism and campaigning that we could change government policy,' he said. Campaigners are calling for a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action. The parents group STARR based in Redbridge shared their personal stories of courage with conference participants.

The 'Autism Action' film released by the Autism Awareness Campaign UK was shown to the audience. Councillor Chris Cummins , Sue Blows, Lee Scott MP, Ivan Corea, Maggie Widdecombe,Valda Casey and parents from STARR addressed the conference chaired by Rita Beaumont.

The song for autism, 'Open Every Door' by Birmingham based musician Rozagy who has Asperger's Syndrome was a real success and copies of the CD were sold raising funds for Professor Simon Baron Cohen's Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University. There were displays by Newham Books and other organisations.

Autism Awareness Week was from 1st October to 7th October - it was an initiative of the Autism Alliance in the UK.

(London, UK) It's Autism Awareness Week in the UK (running from 1st October to 7th October) and leading parliamentarian Lee Scott, MP for Ilford North and member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health has joined forces with Ivan Corea, head of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK in a call to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to take firm and decisive action on autism.

There are over 500,000 people with autism in the UK, over 90,000 children are on the autism spectrum. According to UK researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism. Even in Lee Scott's constituency in Redbridge, numbers are rising.

Scott has called on the Government to provide ring fenced funding for Autism Services undertaken by local authorities in a film 'Autism Action' directed by the renowned Ian McLeod and released by the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. Copies of the Autism Action DVD containing interviews with autism campaigner Ivan Corea and Lee Scott MP, have been sent to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Leader of the Opposition David Cameron and Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies Campbell.

The Autism Action film has also been released on You Tube. Lee Scott has pledged to raise the serious issues connected with autism and Asperger's Syndrome with the Prime Minister in his interview in the Autism Action film.

Lee Scott has been championing the cause of autism in the House of Commons. Earlier this year he initiated a landmark debate on autism in Westminster Hall and quizzed the Prime Minister asking him a question on autism in Prime Minister's Questions in April.

Scott is scheduled to speak at a major autism conference in South Woodford to mark Autism Awareness Week.
ian mcleod,
To watch the Autism Action film on You Tube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPyP-slDT6M

PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN URGED TO ACT ON AUTISM

AUTISM ACTION DVD LAUNCHED IN AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK

Autism Campaigners have launched a DVD titled 'Autism Action' calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to back a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action on autism and Asperger's Syndrome. The Autism DVD has been released during Autism Awareness Week which runs from 1st October - 7th October 2007.

The 'Autism Action' DVD was released by the Autism Awareness Campaign UK, the film is directed by top film maker, Ian McLeod. Over 500,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum, over 90,000 children have autism. According to UK researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Leader of the Opposition David Cameron and Leader of the Liberal Democrats have all received copies of the Autism Action DVD.

The soundtrack of the film also contains the moving Nimal Mendis song for autism, sung by Birmingham based musician Rozagy who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. She is raising funds for Professor Simon Baron Cohen's Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University.

Ivan Corea said: 'Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Children's Secretary Ed Balls affirmed their commitment to disabled children at this year's Labour Party Conference in major speeches in Bournemouth. We now urge them to launch a national strategy, look at a building program of autism units in mainstream secondary schools, specialist autism schools and even consider turning special schools into SEN academies and even state of the art autism academies. Children with autism have tremendous potential they too deserve a world class education.'

'We also want the government to look at further education and higher education opportunities, an autism compact with employers and the debate on autism and the elderly,' said Mr.Corea.

Autism Awareness Week is being organised by the Autism Alliance.

Here is the Autism Awareness Campaign UK You Tube Player:

Watch the 3 minute fi from the Autism Awareness Campaign UK by the renowned film director Ian McLeod.

To watch the film please click on the youtube image:

Watch the Autism Action film by film director Ian McLeod. The film highlights the Autism Awareness Campaign UK appeal to Prime Minister Gordon Brown on autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

AUTISM ACTION ON YOU TUBE

News story on Blogger News Network on the autism appeal to Prime Minister Gordon Brown:

http://www.bloggernews.net/110170

The news story on the Autism Appeal to Gordon Brown on HULIQ:

http://www.huliq.com/34369/autism-appeal-to-prime-minister-gordon-brown-on-you-tube

Read the 24dash.com news story
http://www.24dash.com/health/27541.

The appeal on autism and Asperger's Syndrome was launched by the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. The appeal was aimed at Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPyP-slDT6M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DrMJS7KqOg

UK AUTISM: CALL TO PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN ON YOU TUBE

AUTISM ACTION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPyP-slDT6M

Ivan Corea, head of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK calls on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to take decisive action on autism on YouTube. The Film on You Tube features Lee Scott MP, Member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health who is championing the cause of autism in parliament.

Also featured is the Nimal Mendis song for autism 'Open Every Door' sung by Birmingham based musician Rozagy who has Asperger's Syndrome. Nimal Mendis is one of Sri Lanka's distinguished singer/songwriters - this is the first ever song for autism written and composed by a South Asian songwriter.

Ivan Corea said, ' I urge Gordon Brown to launch a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action to include building specialist autism schools and an AUTISM COMPACT with employers to open the labour market to people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome who can work. We also need a debate on autism and the elderly. Who will look after them
when they grow old?'

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder. 0ver 500,000 people in the UK have autism; over 90,000 children are on the autism spectrum; according to UK Researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism.

The highly influential and respected international music website, WORLD MUSIC CENTRAL has featured Rozagy and the British musician's cover version of 'Open Every Door' written by the Sri Lanka born, award winning superstar, Nimal Mendis. Copies of the CD have been sent to Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Children's Secretary Ed Balls.

Please see;
BRITISH PM GORDON BROWN AND ED BALLS RECEIVE ROZAGY'S AUTISM SONG
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20070903071948313

BBC News 24 highlighted the Autism Awareness Campaign UK's call for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to open SEN/Autism Academies in the UK.

Read the story on BBC News by clicking on the link below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6933243.stm

Ivan Corea, head of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK called on Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Secretary of State for Children Ed Balls to allow SEN schools to be transformed into academies under the Government's program. He also called on the Government to set up state of the art specialist autism schools or academies - according to estimates there over 90,000 children in the UK who are on the autism spectrum. In London alone there are 15,000 people from minority ethnic communities.

Mr. Corea was addressing a conference at the International Teachers College in the University of East London complex in the Docklands. He spoke about the Autism Awareness Campaign and the struggle of parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the UK. There were 250 teachers and students from around the world who were present at the event.

Autism is a neuro-developental disorder - over 500,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. Recently a leaked study from the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge University suggested that 1 in 58 children in the UK may have autism. If this number is confirmed it could point to a surge in autism in the UK.

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK has been appealing to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to back a national strategy for autism and a 10 year plan of action on autism in the UK - this includes building specialism autism schools open to all across the UK. There are parents, carers and people with autism who are still struggling to access public services in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care.

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK was set up by Asian Campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea who have a 11 year old boy with autism, Charin Corea. They launched their campaign in the UK in 2000 - Ivan Corea has met Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown on the subject of autism. They campaign as a service to others.

'People are still finding that a postcode lottery to public services still exists for parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. We have urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to take action to help this group, we need a long term strategy ' said Ivan Corea.

There are 60 million people with autism around the world. Many international delegates at the event organised by the International Teachers College and held at the University of East London shared their views on autism, they expressed concern that Governments in Africa and Asia were not doing enough to support children and adults with autism.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged his support for the Millennium Development Goal on education for every child upto primary school level when he recently addressed a meeting at the United Nations in New York. The Autism Awareness Campaign UK has asked the Government to give priority to the whole subject of autism in Africa and Asia and take these issues up with international leaders.

Autism Campaigners have welcomed Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s speech at the United Nations in New York in the presence of the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon.

The Prime Minister pledged his commitment to support the Millennium Development Goal of education for all children upto primary school level. Gordon Brown told the high powered audience in New York that he wanted to ‘call into being, beyond governments alone, a global partnership for development and together harness the energy, the ideas and the talents of the private sector, consumers, non-governmental oranisations, churches and faith groups and citizens everywhere.’ Gordon Brown is currently on a visit to the United States. He also met with US President George Bush over the weekend.

Ivan Corea, head of the Autism Awareness Campaign said: ‘We welcome Gordon Brown’s speech at the UN and his commitment on education for all children. There are 60 million people with autism around the world, many autistic children in Africa and Asia suffer without any education. Autism is confused with mental illness in some countries - children are kept at home without access to education. We urge Gordon Brown to address this issue with international leaders,’ he said.

In Sri Lanka for example, they say there are 39,000 children with autism. Only a handful have access to education. Many stay at home due to cultural issues and the confusion over autism as a mental illness. The education authorities in Asia and Africa need training on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

The Millennium Development Goal on education must include the education of children with disabilities including children with autism.

‘We appeal to Gordon Brown to speak out for children with disabilities including children with autism in Africa and Asia. They are being left behind by education systems,’ said Ivan Corea in London.

There are over 500,000 people with autism in the UK, over 90,000 children are on the autism spectrum. Recently a leaked study from Cambridge University suggested that 1 in 58 children may have autism. The Autism Awareness Campaign UK has appealed to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to back a national strategy for autism and a 10 year plan of action on autism in the UK.

Autism Awareness Campaign UK
http://uk_autism.tripod.com

Rozagy the British musician has recorded a cover version of the Nimal Mendis song for autism, 'Open Every Door.' The song will be available for download from Tuesday 17th July 2007.

Professor Simon Baron Cohen of the renowned Autism Research Centre in Cambridge University has welcomed the news that a cover version of 'Open Every Door' the song for autism sung by Rosagy, a musician who has Asperger's Syndrome, is due to be released in London.

Professor Simon Baron Cohen said: 'I am delighted that Roza's beautiful version of the song "Open Every Door" will be used to fundraise for autism research.

It is the energy and idealism of people like Roza that inspires people to do whatever they can to make the world a better place for people with autism,' he said.

Ivan Corea who heads the Autism Awareness Campaign UK said: 'I am delighted that Roza is covering the Nimal Mendis song for autism 'Open Every Door'. I know it will go a long way in raising awareness about autism and I would urge music lovers all over the world to support the song.'

'Open Every Door' was written by the Asian superstar, the Sri Lanka-born singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis who lives in the UK. Mendis dedicated the song to a 11 year old boy with autism, Charin Corea who is the son of autism campaigners Ivan and Charika Corea. Charin was the inspiration behind his parents campaign - they set up the Autism Awareness Campaign UK in 2000 and have been lobbying for better public services for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. A copy of the Nimal Mendis version of 'Open Every Door' was handed over to Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell by the Autism Awareness Campaign.

Ivan Corea recently met with Gordon Brown on the campaign trail and asked him a question on autism. Mr. Brown conceded that the Government needs to do more for all children with disabilities.

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK has urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to provide all children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome with a 'world class education' and specialist education facilities. Many suffer as a result of a postcode lottery to public services.

Rozagy is a British Artist & composer with Asperger's syndrome (Autism in pure form without learning difficulties). As a child, she had behavioural problems and was labelled a "difficult child" and health professionals even suggested she may be institutionalised. Her parents defied odds by placing her into "gifted child programme" (even though she struggled) as well as paid for private tuition in a few key subjects of interest. Rozagy was formally taught music from the age of 5 and now holds 2 University degrees. She's a "living proof" that right education can work greatly to maximise Autistic person's potential. Rozagy has excellent visual & auditory memory and feels passion for learning.

She has worked as a journalist and also taught children with behavioural problems Art & IT. Her artwork was exhibited alongside Steven Wiltshire's (Autistic savant) in Cambridge international 'Autism in Art' exhibition (Sept. 2006) and in Birmingham museum (Feb.- April 2007) and in a private art gallery. She is currently involved in campaigning for Autism awareness, tackling the bullying of Autistic people and a better provision for children & adults on the Autistic spectrum as well as making art & composing. She's married with two children (her oldest son also has Asperger's).

Rozagy hopes to raise funds for Professor Simon Baron Cohen's Autism Research Centre through the song 'Open Every Door.'

To download Rozagy's cover version of 'Open Every Door' please access the webpage:
http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com

(London, UK)The Autism Awareness Campaign is appealing to the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to invest in the lives of autistic children in the UK. Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder -over 500,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. According to researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism. Over 90,0000 children in the UK are autistic - many suffer without proper access to public services in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care.

Ivan Corea who heads the Autism Awareness Campaign recently met Gordon Brown on the campaign trail and asked him a question on disabilities and autism. Mr. Brown conceded that the Government needs to do more for all children with disabilities.

Mr. Corea said: 'I appeal to Gordon Brown to provide a world class education for all children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome, to provide new specialist autism schools, even Special Needs Academies and autism units equipped with sensory rooms in mainsteam primary and secondary schools; to provide young people with access to further education and higher education, to provide labour market opportunities for people with autism who are able to work.'

'Equality of opportunity must include every single autistic child and adult in our country. They have a role to play in society - they can also contribute to the economy of our country, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome have so much potential,' he said.

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK is looking to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to launch a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action to help parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

The issue has moved right up the political agenda - Lee Scott MP who has been championing the cause of autism in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster launched a major debate on autism in March this year. Parliamentarians of all parties signed an early day motion on autism backing the call for a national strategy on autism.

The Sri Lankan superstar, the award winning singer-songwriter Nimal Mendis has written a song for autism titled: OPEN EVERY DOOR.He is raising funds for the British charity AUTISM SPEAKS UK who are conducting research into the causes of autism. 50% of downloads will go to AUTISM SPEAKS UK.

Autism Speaks is a registered British charity that raises funds to accelerate biomedical research to determine and understand the causes and biological basis of autism spectrum disorders; and through that understanding to discover and promote new ways of improving the quality of life for all those affected.

Mendis hopes that people all over the world will download the song for autism and help raise funds for AUTISM SPEAKS UK - their work will one day provide answers for parents, carers and people with autism. There are 60 million people with autism across the nations. In the UK an estimated 587,900 people have autism. According to UK researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism. Numbers are also rising in Britain's minority ethnic communities. In London alone there are 15,000 people from BME communities who are on the autism spectrum.

Prime Minister Tony Blair was presented with a copy of ‘Open Every Door.’ Copies of the song for autism have been handed over to Gordon Bown, David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell. Nimal Mendis has joined British musicians in urgin politicians to do more for all people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome by providing them with public services.A postcode lottery to public services exists in the UK where parents, carers and people with autism are concerned.

To download the Nimal Mendis song:
www.mediaeyeproductions.com/downloads.html

The highly influential member of parliament, Mike Gapes who is MP for Ilford South and Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons has tabled an important early day motion supporting the Autism Awareness Campaign UK's call for a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action.

Autism has been pushed straight up the political agenda in Great Britain.It is having unprecedented coverage in the Palace of Westminster. A major debate on autism took place in March in Westminster Hall, followed by a question on autism in Prime Minister's Questions.

Prime Minister Tony Blair met with autism campaigner Ivan Corea on the 25th of April in the House of Commons. Corea presented the Prime Minister with The Autism Report calling for an end to the postcode lottery in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care for parents, carers and all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Also present at the meeting with the Prime Minister was Lee Scott MP who has been championing the cause of autism in parliament. Autism is on Tony Blair's legacy agenda and campaigners are urging him to create a program of action before he leaves office in the summer. They are also calling for a halt to the closure of special schools.

Ivan Corea said: 'I urge parliamentarians of all parties to do more for parents, carers and all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in our country. There is still so much suffering out there - people with autism need better public services.'

Early Day Motion 1359 states:

That this House notes that the Prime Minister met autism campaigner Ivan Corea who presented a report on autism; backs the call of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK for the Government to undertake a 10 year programme of building specialist autism schools, building autism units in mainstream primary and secondary schools, tackling the failure of some secondary schools in bringing in educational strategies to deal with autistic children in a mainstream setting, providing access to further education and higher education, labour market opportunities for people with autism and tackling the whole question of bullying and autistic children; requests that the Government reviews the provision of recreational services for autistic children; and calls on the Government to launch a cohesive national strategy for autism.

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=33138&SESSION=885

Report from:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=69382