West Cork town to go ‘autism-friendly’ on World Autism Day

A town is going ‘autism-friendly’ to mark World Autism Day.

Clonakilty already has a similar initiative: Scally’s supermarket launched an autism-friendly shopping evening last year, which has continued every Tuesday.

One of the organisers, local woman, Patricia O’Leary, has now instigated a new event to mark World Autism Day on April 2.

Shops in the West Cork town will follow a ‘light it up blue’ theme, canine-companion autism-service dogs will be available, there will be an autism-friendly screening of a film in the Park Cinema, and businesses will feature blue lights, balloons, and window displays.

Patricia, who is originally from Dublin, but who has lived in Clonakilty for more than 20 years, is a student in autism studies at University College Cork.

Last November, she suggested the idea of an autism-friendly shopping evening, and, between 7pm and 9pm, the lights in the Supervalu store are dimmed and the music and announcements turned off, to provide shoppers with a calmer environment.

Since Christmas, she has also pioneered autism-friendly hairdressing in Bandon, with the Hairline store opening on Mondays to provide haircuts for children who are on the autistic spectrum. One woman recently brought her four-year-old for her first-ever haircut.

Of the latest initiative in Clonakilty, she said: “I am hoping it will raise autism awareness and autism acceptance.”

Patricia said some families from Cork, and even as far away as Limerick, have indicated that they will visit Clonakilty on April 2.

“The feedback has been absolutely fantastic,” she said.

“I put it out on Facebook and there are people commenting from all over Ireland.”