April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day
Each April 2, Autism Speaks celebrates Light It Up Blue along with the
international autism community, in commemoration of the United
Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day. Light It Up Blue is a unique
global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise
awareness about autism. In honor of this historic day, many iconic landmarks,
hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores are
among the hundreds of thousands of homes and communities that take part to Light
It Up Blue.
Light It Up Blue
Online
Help us raise awareness about autism by spreading the word via email,
Facebook, Twitter, or your personal blog or website. (use links below for smart phone and Facebook.)
What is Autism?
What Is Autism? What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a
group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are
characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal
and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. They include autistic
disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive
developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger
syndrome.
How Common Is Autism?
How Common Is Autism?
Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) identify around 1 in 88 American children as on the autism spectrum-a
ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this
increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies
also show that autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls.
An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with autism in
the United States.
By way of comparison, more children are diagnosed with autism each year
than with juvenile diabetes, AIDS or cancer, combined.* ASD affects over 2
million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide.
Facts About Autism
Did you know ...
- Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
- Autism prevalence figures are growing
- Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
- Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
- Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
- Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
- There is no medical detection or cure for autism
No comments:
Post a Comment