Hong Kong and Singapore Join Hands in Promoting Autism Partnership Foundation Dress Blue Day to Raise Awareness for Autism

HONG KONG, March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Autism is a neural disorder that impairs the communications development in early stage of life.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is affecting one out of every 68 children.  There is no solid data in Hong Kong for the actual number of children with autism.  In Hong Kong, a lot of parents are not aware of their children's ASD related behavioral problems, hence the delay in diagnosis of ASD.  Some of the parents even choose to deny or cover up the disorders.

April 2 of each year is the World Autism Awareness Day, designated by United Nations General Assembly, to raise awareness for Autism. To support this initiative, Autism Partnership Foundation (APF) launches "APF Dress Blue Day" with aims to raise the awareness about autism, and to raise funding through donations to support all age groups of the affected children and their families in Hong Kong as well as in Asia.  This year, APF will join hands with the Hong Kong and Singapore offices of Autism Partnership to support and promote this Dress Blue Day campaign. 

Autism Partnership Foundation's target is to raise two million Hong Kong Dollars this year to achieve its mission in supporting the ASD community.  The donations received from this campaign will help promote public awareness and acceptance towards individuals with autism.

Autism Partnership Foundation would like to invite various corporations and schools to participate in "Autism Partnership Foundation Dress Blue Day" to raise funds for the Foundation.  Individual and group participants are welcome to join us on April 2, 2015 by dressing in blue. The participant who can raise the highest amount of donations for this campaign will be acknowledged and posted on APF's Facebook.  Participants are also encouraged to post their "Dress Blue Outfit Photo" on  Facebook page. The photo receiving the most "Like" will be named as the "Best Blue Dress-up Person" and will win a special prize.  To join and support this campaign, please visit Facebook/APF Hong Kong to download the sponsorship form.

To further support the World Autism Awareness Day, Autism Partnership will offer free downloads of two iPad apps - Token Economy and Receptive Colours.  These autism-specific interactive technologies are designed to improve the learning behavior and attention span for the children.

Ms. Rachel Ho, Development Director of APF said, "Due to the limited resources and lack of support from the government and community, children with ASD have encountered immense difficulties in their schooling and daily lives.  We hope the APF Dress Blue Day can optimize the awareness of the public for the needs of people with autism.  Please participate in this meaningful event by dressing in blue on April 2, your donations will be able to help many children with ASD."

About Autism Partnership Foundation:

Autism Partnership Foundation (APF), a registered charity body (qualified for the exemption from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance) in Hong Kong, is committed to improving the lives of the children with autism.  Through various fundraising initiatives, APF raises funds to generate public awareness and knowledge about autisms and provide support and help for individuals with ASD and their families in Asia. APF is devoted to advocate Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatments and intervention for autisms through community programs of education and research.

About Autism Partnership

Autism Partnership (AP) is a worldwide authority and one of the largest and most established Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) service providers for the autism. Established since 1994 in the United States, AP is run by professional clinicians and specializes in providing one-on-one therapy, group intervention and overseas consultation for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families. We also provide customized school-based training and social group to meet different needs of schools in the region.

Drawing on over 40 years of experience in ABA and treatment of ASD, our premium service is highly recognized by local and international service agencies and government bodies. Dedicated in research and scientific studies, AP has involved in all aspects of seminal projects including development of curriculum and behavioral intervention strategies, implementing and supervising treatment, training therapists, teachers, parents and helping professionals.

AP has over 250 top-notch staff working throughout our international offices in USA, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, Philippines, Singapore and United Kingdom.

Source: Autism Partnership Foundation(APF)