World Autism Awareness Day

[Guest guest]

World Autism Awareness Day

>>

>>

>>>I am writing friends and family to let you know that today is World

>>>Autism

>>>Awareness Day.

>>>

>>> This is the time to shine a light on Autism and make people aware of

>>> this

>>> crisis affecting our children at epidemic rates (now 1 in 150 kids are

>>> diagnosed). Families are being affected emotionally and financially

>>> (estimates say it will cost millions to raise a child to adulthood). It

>>> is

>>> time to increase research funding and improve services for both children

>>> and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (It is a spectrum condition,

>>> which means that, while all people with autism share certain

>>> difficulties,

>>> their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with

>>> autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have

>>> accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist

>>> support.). It is also a time to be aware of the children and adults we

>>> may come into contact with that are affected by this disorder. Time to

>>> be

>>> tolerant of unusual behaviors, weak social skills, poor language and

>>> other

>>> manifestations of this disability. Many times those with ASD experience

>>> the world around them in a different way, take a moment to imagine how

>>> that may feel.

>>>

>>> As a mother of a child with Autism I wanted to make you aware that this

>>> epidemic is a serious issue affecting our children and their families.

>>> There is no specific cause of this developmental disorder and there is

>>> no

>>> known cure (early intervention is a helpful start so know the warning

>>> signs). Awareness and tolerance is key.

>>>

>>> Thanks,

>>> Beth Blake

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey all,

As you may know, the United Nations has declared April 2nd as World Autism

Awarenss Day. There are some campaigns associated with this, such as Light It

Up Blue from Autism Speaks (http://www.lightitupblue.org/).

I am interested in trying to get a local campaign started. It might be as

simple as blue ribbons around trees or a blue balloon release. I have little

time to give so I'm interested in generating high impact ideas that have minimal

time requirement. I am nearly certain we could get media coverage if we get

some kind of local movement.

I'm not sure if CCF Lerner, Monarch, Achievement Center, JB, or other

school/entity is already working on this and definitely don't want to re-invent

the wheel, so please let me know if something is already underway.

If you're interested in helping or if you have an idea, feel free to contact me

or post it here. I already have a few media connections (the Fish and FOX), but

others would be helpful. PSA spots from local media would be great. Also, if

you have a distribution list (not for public use, but a group of advocates you

can forward information to), please let me know so that you can forward info as

details emerge.

Thanks and hope your family is holding up through these last days of winter.

D. Irvin

phillip.irvin@...

216-375-1557