Prime Minister receives 'Song for Autism' » Health » 24dash.com

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Secretary of State for Children, Ed Balls, have received copies of the song for autism, 'Open Every Door'.

The cover version has been recorded by British musician Rozagy, who lives in Birmingham and was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism.

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder, over 500,000 people in the United Kingdom are on the autism spectrum, according to estimates over 90,000 children are autistic. UK researchers have stated that 1 in 100 children have autism.

The song was written by the Sri Lanka born, award winning, superstar Nimal Mendis for the son of Ivan Corea, leader of Autism Awareness Campaign UK sent the song.

Eleven-year-old Charin Corea has autism spectrum disorder. He inspired his parents to launch the Autism Awareness Campaign UK in 2000. They campaign as a service to others, driven by a passion for social justice and they are seeking radical change in government policy.

Ivan Corea met Gordon Brown in June this year and urged him to do more for all children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

The Autism Awareness Campaign is calling for a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action which includes a building program of specialist autism schools and an 'Autism Compact' with employers giving access into the labour market for people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome who are able to work.

Rozagy's 'Open Every Door' aims to raise funds for Professor Simon Baron Cohen's Autism Research Centre in Cambridge University.

Ivan Corea said: "I warmly welcome Rozagy's version of 'Open Every Door. I have urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Children's Secretary Ed Balls to listen to this beautiful, moving song and act on autism. Every child with autism and Asperger's Syndrome deserve a world education. Many are not receiving it.

"That is why we have called for all avenues to be open to them - be they mainstream schools with autism units, special schools and even state-of-the art specialist autism schools in every county.

"They have so much potential. I appeal to Gordon Brown to 'Open Every Door' to every child with autism and Asperger's Syndrome."

Recently, a copy of Rozagy's 'Open Every Door' was presented to Lee Scott MP in the Palace of Westminster. Lee Scott has been championing the cause of autism in the House of Commons.

He initiated a major debate on autism in March this year and together with Ivan Corea met Prime Minister Tony Blair on the subject of autism in April.

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