The April 2 is celebrated world day for awareness on autisman opportunity to reflect on the importance of inclusion and support for autistic people and their families, according to data, over 800 thousand people live this condition. Even one child every 77. In this context the story of Marta Galliano is inserted: a teacher from Milan, a mother and a woman who has transformed the difficulties into opportunities. His story, linked to the path of his son, came 6 years old, to whom a autism spectrum disorder has been recognized, is the starting point for a commitment that today sees the Italian Lions at the front line with a National service dedicated to autism and inclusion 2024-2025. The initiative is designed to give concrete support to families and caregiver, to encourage training, to sensitize institutions in this area.
But let’s start from the beginning. I came, born on November 21, 2018, he grew up without signs of difficulty, so much so that at 9 months he was already pronounced about twenty words. However, around 18 months, Marta Galliano and her husband Giovanni found themselves in front of a sudden regression of language: the child expressed himself with only two words and showed worrying behaviors, such as episodes of extreme frustration and agitation in daily situations. After a long journey between specialists and difficulties in accessing care during the pandemic, the diagnosis arrived in 2021. “My son taught us to see the world from another perspective», Says Marta that, despite the enormous difficulties and daily challenges, he has decided to actively commit himself to improve the conditions of families who, like his own, face this challenge daily, fighting between bureaucracy, school and health system, without adequate supports.
Becoming president of the Milan North Lions Club, Marta Galliano proposed to transform the theme of autism into a national servicean official project that involves all Italian Lions Clubs on a theme of social importance, coordinating initiatives throughout the territory to guarantee a significant and lasting impact. The proposal, approved during the National Congress of Genoa last year, gave birth to the National Lions Service on autism 2024-2025, a project that today is the engine of initiatives throughout Italy.
The service on autism since this year is a commitment that, for Lions multidisty 108 Italy, translates into concrete actions to improve the quality of life of people with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Autism is estimated in Italy about 800,000 people, including children and adults, with a significant impact on families and their caregivers. According to the Higher Institute of Health, 1 child out of 77 of school age is diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorderand support services are often insufficient. There are still many people who have not been recognized.
From north to southern Italy, Lions Italy Multidistitto 108 Italy have started to carry out projects that make the objectives of the service tangible and which include awareness and training activities, support for families, social and work inclusion activities and dialogue with institutions. “It is not just a Lions commitment, but a collective responsibility», He declares Leonardo PotenzaPresident of the Council of Governors of Multidisty 108 Italy. «Autism requires concrete answers: to create awareness, support families and enhance the potential of each individual. Thanks to the Lions network, we are making important steps forward in this direction ».
