AUTISM crusader Bianca Appleford died on Friday 12 April after a battle with cancer.
The mother of four was renowned for her work in the autism field. In 2012 she founded Light-Up Autism Foundation to introduce improved teaching aids into southern peninsula schools so students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and those with other learning difficulties, could more easily stay happy, and focused, in the mainstream system.
The Rye resident, who has an autistic son, received an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2020 for “service to people living with autism”. Mrs Appleford had previously been honoured by being named Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Citizen of the Year in 2017 and Queen’s Baton-bearer for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
After Mrs Appleford’s work in the autism field began when she arranged for a therapist to work at Boneo Primary School. This led to a pilot program starting in 2012. This led to integration aides becoming available at the school to assist autistic children or others suffering various disabilities either in class or in the playground. Light-Up Autism Foundation was up and running. The program has been expanded to assist primary and secondary school students at Rye, Rosebud, Dromana, Padua and Tyabb, as well as to after-school care groups and those on the NDIS.
Bianca Appleford is survived by her husband Sean, and children Mikaela, Sam, Stella and Mick. Her funeral will be held at Moonah Links on Tuesday 23 April at 11am.
First published in the Mornington News – 16th April 2024
