Sheffield Optometrist to turn practices blue for World Autism Day
A Sheffield Optometrist is turning his practices blue in support of World Autism Day on 2ndApril.
The blue themes at Alex Gage Family Optometrist will include blue balloons outside the Crosspool and Woodseats practices, staff wearing blue wigs and items of clothing and themed refreshments. The team at Woodseats will be joined by an Autism Assistance Dog from the Sheffield charity, Support Dogs.
World Autism Day was established in 2008 to raise awareness about autism and every year, on April 2nd, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events, including Light It Up Blue. This global initiative kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and sees iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, bridges, homes and communities lighting up their properties.
Alex was inspired to take part in the initiative after specialising in Behavioural Optometry; a branch of optics that studies how vision can affect human performance. He said: "Autism can come with a range of challenges in making sense of the world. In Behavioural Optometry,we work to make the information coming into the eyes good information, as in they can see clearly, and then we work to help process that information and make sense of what they are seeing."
Autism was first identified more than 50 years ago and affects one percent of UK children and adults, many of whom remain undiagnosed and without support. Autism Spectrum Disorders (or conditions) are lifelong disabilities that, at their core, affect a person's social and communication abilities and are four times more prevalent in boys than girls.
Alex sits on the BABO (British Association of Behavioural Optometrists) committee.
For more information about Behavioural Optometry or to book an appointment, please contact Alex Gage at 857 Chesterfield Road, Woodseats on 0114274 8582 or at 48 Sandygate Road Crosspool on0114 266 7066.
Ends
Photo: Alex with Amy and support dog, Cass
For more information or to arrange an interview with Alex or wife and fellow optometrist Sarah Gage, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;
Direct line: 01430 871360
Mobile: 07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Please visitwww.alexgagevision.co.ukfor more information about the extensive services and products that Alex and Sarah Gage provide
Alex Gage is a regular contributor to BBC Radio Sheffield and visits local schools to talk about eye health
Alex Gage is only one of a handful of Optometrists in Yorkshire who has a Diploma in Sports Vision and is qualified to practice sports optometry.
For more information about Light it Up Blue, please visithttp://liub.autismspeaks.org/welcome?utm_source=lightitupblue.org&utm_medium=webpage&utm_content=sitemovedpage&utm_campaign=LIUB2014
For more information about Autism, please visithttp://www.autistica.org.uk/