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Senses Residential and Day Care for Special Needs launched "#SupportSpectrum" in line with this year’s World Autism Awareness Day (2^nd April). The campaign seeks to raise awareness and better the public’s understanding of autism by transforming knowledge into currency through a unique creative concept and donation mechanic. The initiative reimagines the colours of the autism spectrum and translates them into beautiful, limited-edition fashion pieces, specially tailored by a host of world-renowned designers. The exclusive collection will be auctioned through the campaign’s dedicated website, whereby donors can choose to bid by making a financial contribution to the cause or by becoming more knowledgeable about autism. Those who choose to bid using knowledge will be provided with vital, and most often unknown, information on the condition and asked to complete a series of questions to validate their entries. In turn, this transforms their new understanding of autism into a currency that they can use to bid for some of the most exclusive designer pieces. 

17 designers from across the region have joined with Senses to #SupportSpectrum and help create the Autism Spectrum Collection. MarMar Halim, Okhtein, Roni Helou, Rami Kadi, SI-Fashion, Payal Singhal, Jessica-K, Mrs Keepa, Vanina, Aura, Arshys, CHI-KA, Style your Armoire, Native, Anomalous, Rani Zakhem and Hussein Bazaza are all taking part in the initiative and each designer has created a one-off bespoke piece inspired by the seven colours of the spectrum. These designers are joining the movement to raise awareness on Autism and encourage fashion lovers in the Middle East to purchase one of their limited edition pieces either with money or, for the MarMar Halim, Okhtein, Native or Roni Helou pieces, with knowledge. Buyers need to visit (www.SupportSpectrum.com) to bid on a piece of their choosing from 2^nd April. With the money auction, the highest value bid will win the piece when it closes on 10^th April, and for the knowledge auction, a raffle will pick the four winners at random once it closes on 30^th April.

Dr. Nadia Khalil Al Sayegh, Director General of The Senses Residential and Day Care for Special Needs (SENSES) said: "Although there is a general awareness of the condition, we need to increase the understanding and acceptance of those with autism within the community. Fashion in this region is close to many people’s hearts, so by creating our very own spectrum collection we hope to appeal to a whole new audience and help to educate them in the complexities of autism. We are so thankful to all the designers who got involved with the initiative and helped to make our vision a reality. We have a truly unique collection which we’re delighted to be able to share and we hope that the money, and knowledge, raised from the auction really makes a difference".

In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted April 2^nd as World Autism Awareness Day, with the goal of bringing the world’s attention to autism. This day is a yearly reminder that the World Autism Awareness Day’s vision of successful community inclusion is one step closer to becoming a reality. 

For more information on the #SupportSpectrum campaign and how to get involved, please visit: www.SupportSpectrum.com (available from 2^nd April).