Raising awareness about autism

By Lara Pickford-Gordon

snrwriter.camsel@catholictt.org

On April 2, World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was observed worldwide. The theme for 2026 is Autism and Humanity—Every Life Has Value. April is also World Autism Acceptance Month. Advocates for persons with autism held activities on the day and events will be held during April to promote visibility and awareness.

Bethesda, for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), a ministry under the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission, marked the observance at its scheduled sensory-friendly Mass at Our Lady of Fatima, Curepe, at 11 a.m. on April 5, Easter Sunday.

Founder Saira La Foucade said on April 6, “There were approximately 60 persons in attendance with mainly autistic children, I think about ten. We had four deaf persons and a child with profound disabilities”. Four elderly persons were also present with their families.

In an interview April 2, she said Bethesda will use the opportunity to raise awareness of autism for the month at its other sensory-friendly Masses at Holy Trinity, Arouca on April 12; St Paul’s RC, Couva on April 19; and St Francis of Assisi, Belmont on April 26.

“We’ll just have a little information on autism at each of the Masses,” said La Foucade. On April 25, there will be training for volunteer catechists at Our Lady of Fatima parish itself, and on May 2 there will be a larger training session for all catechists at the Catholic Centre, Chaguanas.

She said “more than half” of the PWDs participating in Bethesda activities are persons on the autism spectrum. La Foucade said about 200 registered Catholic families have attended sensory-friendly Masses over time but the group is open to all religious denominations.

La Foucade said stereotypes persist about people with autism. She said accessing mainstream schools can be problematic when individuals are labelled. “Once you are recognised with a disability, many times they will not accept you. So even though you can function in typical manners because you are diagnosed with autism they will not accept you,” La Foucade said.

She added that education is a means out of poverty but, “if you’re not accessing education, how are you able to function?”

La Foucade, whose autistic son Matheaus is now 18, told of the trials of getting medical coverage for him. She disclosed, “None of the insurance coverages will facilitate any service with autism. So, I have a son with autism, and I have a daughter who’s typical. If we go to the dentist a claim comes back zero for him, but we will get back for her. Because he was diagnosed as autistic, we are not able to benefit with any medical coverage.”

La Foucade said raising a child with autism is not for the “faint hearted” and every day experiences are not typical. She elaborated: “As a parent, it is a difficult journey and many times you find yourself alone so, it’s important to find community. Me, having the community of Bethesda, the autistic society and just in general meeting other parents, not just autistic kids but children with disabilities in general. Certainly, autism is a different journey.”

She displayed her arm with bruises explaining, “my son had a meltdown yesterday as well as last week. When he has a meltdown, he would hold on to me and I know his holding on to me is: ‘mummy, help me, mummy, help me’ and I actually see in his face ‘mummy, why aren’t you helping me’…and it gets even harder”.

He also clings to her when he is feeling unwell. La Foucade has filed down his fingernails, but he has a tight grip. La Foucade has accepted her scars saying, “this is just part of my journey, and only other autistic parents who might be going through the same experience will understand why it is, and why I am not hiding my scars”.

She said there are parents who are frustrated, and who remain indoors, hiding their autistic children and their “scars”. However, over time, visibility has increased and there are now more opportunities for children with disabilities to be seen.

“I think parents are also recognising, it cannot be home just looking at four walls. You need to bring them out. I am seeing a little change where people are a lot more comfortable,” she said.

On WAAD, the Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ASTT) launched, ‘We Grow Dreams Garden project’. The goal, according to their Facebook page, is “to operate sustainably, produce eco-friendly products, promote inclusion and healthier communities through providing training, employment and therapeutic horticulture opportunities for persons with autism”.

At the launch, ASTT Centre Manager Amoy Boodoo said the garden is planting the seeds of independence, dignity, and opportunity.

“Through this project, we aim to grow at least three products within our first year, host community activities that promote inclusion and within 18 months provide training to at least ten people with autism”, she said.

Boodoo said the ribbon cutting for opening will signify not just the opening of a space but the beginning of new possibilities where every person with autism is given the chance to grow, work and thrive.