Autism Awareness Month Closes
April is over and so is Autism Awareness Month, but the efforts of those fighting for awareness of this disorder will continue on. I recently read a blog entry by Lisa Jo Rudy, the Autism Spectrum Disorder guide at About.com and thought her comments worthy of note. She also did an interview with AutismPodcast.org.
I hope you will all read and listen to Lisa Jo’s comments, because autism awareness is not something limited to one month, but is a year long effort.
Lisa Jo Rudy’s Blog Entry - The End of Autism Awareness Month
Kennedy Krieger Launches The Interactive Autism Network
Kennedy Krieger Institute has long been known for their dedication to children with brain and spinal column disorders. It was only a matter of time before their voice sounded loud and clear about autism. The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) has been launched online and is the first national online registry.
What will this project achieve for children with autism?
“The IAN project is a partnership designed to bring families and researchers together to accelerate the pace of autism research.”
Project Director Dr. Paul Law.
Over 22,000 families have responded and joined the community. IAN, funded by a grant from Autism Speaks, works to attain progress in research that will provide the best treatment for autism as well as prevention of spectrum disorders; eventually it is hoped a cure will be found.
“We hope that the IAN Community will bring families, friends, individuals with ASDs, together with researchers, therapists, educators, and other professionals in the autism field to better understand this complex disorder through research and collaboration, and to develop effective strategies that will improve the lives of people on the spectrum.”
IAN Web Site
As the first year anniversary of the IAN has just passed, many goals are being set for the next year.
“We are just now beginning to scratch the surface of the complex issues associated with autism. Although we have made some strides, much more work remains to be done. By informing and educating even more families and researchers across the country about the IAN Project, we can continue to organize and mobilize the autism community’s research efforts.”
Dr. Gary Goldstein, President and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute
Auto Racing, as always, Supports Autism
Dover International Speedway and Best Buy officials announced this week that the June 1, 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be named the “Best Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks.” A variety of initiatives, including a concert and a unique online auction, are planned for Dover’s May 30 – June 1, 2008 NASCAR race weekend to increase awareness and raise funds for Autism Speaks.
NASCAR & Autism Weekend at Dover
Bid on Your Once in a Lifetime Experience!
Ideas For Your Community: Autism Awareness
Autism Awareness Month is in full swing with just about every community in the US either planning or navigating their way through an event. Internet locations have been no less active with conferences and seminars, as well as providing support for “real-world” activities.
Joplin, Missouri: The Northridge Mall in Joplin was the heart of a benefit that raised money for autism and for the Ozark Center for Autism. Autism affects about 2,000 kids in this area.
Raising Awareness About Autism
Huntington, West Virginia: There is a reason that Huntington is considered a “haven” for people with autism. It is because of all of the support and awareness that is available in this community not just during Autism Awareness Month, but all year round. Their seventh annual benefit for autism involved walking, running or bicycling for autism.
Local Demand for Autism Services Keeps Growing
Chicago, Illinois: A Barnes & Nobel Bookstore, located in a Chicago suburb, gathered experts and agencies at their store in West Dundee, for an “exposition” on autism. 500 other Barnes & Nobel’s have also, or will be, involved in this program. This program has been developed in partnership with Autism Speaks.
Barnes & Noble Hosts Autism Networking Event
AutismSpeaks
Oxford, Ohio: Students at a middle school in Ohio worked last Thursday (April 17th) to bring autism awareness and understanding to their community. 800 students raised more than $14,000 while walking during lunch periods for the cause of autism.
Fairfield Students Rally for Autism
Great stories of community involvement, aren’t they? Indeed, but that isn’t why I am pointing them out. I am bringing them to your attention because these are things you can do in your community too.
No autism walk where you live? Start one! Kids in middle and high school, perhaps the siblings of children with autism? They need to feel involved and not perceive the kids on the autism spectrum to be isolated. Get them involved in a project next April that raises funds and awareness for autism, as well as including them. After all, a lot of people in their world will have autism and they should learn to understand what it is all about now.
If you can’t start an event yourself, look into becoming part of a larger project that already has some traction. Organizations and fundraisers always need volunteers and what better cause to work for than autism awareness?
Hopefully this will give you a few ideas. You probably have others of your own. And even though April will be coming to a close soon, there is always next April, and better yet, there are 11 other months during the year that can be used to increase awareness of autism.
Mother’s Day Necklace Promotes Autism Awareness
Just in time for Mother’s Day, luxury jewelry designer Judith Ripka has created a necklace exclusively for Autism Speaks. Designed in sterling silver and 18k gold, this 17-inch necklace features a center blue quartz gemstone set in .04 carats of diamonds. The Autism Speaks puzzle piece symbol hanging from the lobster claw clasp is an exquisite detail celebrating autism awareness.
Autism Speaks Necklace by Judith Ripka
Pennsylvania TV Station Organizes Web Articles
Communities all across the United States are doing their part to raise autism awareness. One example I found was in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Many media outlets (newspapers, television and radio stations, etc.) do their best to promote the cause of autism awareness. But the stories and reports are up for a day and then forgotten. WHP-TV has developed a great system for their community of watchers. They have a Web page that indexes all of the autism coverage for the month.
This might be something you could consider doing in your community. Talk to local broadcast stations (TV and radio) as well as newspapers and other local publications. Would they consider putting up a page that references autism activities for their site? It is a fabulous idea for the organization planning on their end, and a real help to readers.
Being An Advocate - A Mom Speaks
Autism Portal Presents Many Faces of Autism
Go to Google and type in the word “autism.” You’ve done it, admit it. And there are thousands and thousands of references. It is literally overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be nice to go to a site that is a portal resource of nothing but autism sites? A location that every site is part of a community working for awareness and coping of autism spectrum disorders?
There is one and it started in a small community in Maine. Foggyrock is a site based in Harpswell, Maine that started with sites and blogs owned by other Mainers. Now blogs and Web sites from all over the world are part of Foggyrock. In many ways it could be considered a “Facebook,” for autism.
Take the tour at Foggyrock. You might find a home for your blog or site. And you certainly will find others that are living with the same challenges, struggles, conflicts and joys. There is a wide variety of people and blogs, as well as groups and forum discussions.
It is a fun and information site and as their motto says, “”When autism is your mountain, you will never have to climb alone.”
Remember, if you open a blog, use common sense in posting photographs of your family (particularly your children), never post your home address or phone number and use an email address that protects your identity and location (Yahoo is a good example).
Mainers Create Web Sites Devoted to Autism
The First World Autism Day
April has been Autism Awareness Month for some time, but this year, on April 2nd, marked the first “World Autism Day.” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced this day by calling for all nations to respond to the needs of the autism community. World Autism Day was established through the work of Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and his consort, Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned.
“Let us pay tribute to the courage of children with autism and their families, as they strive every day to confront the disability with a powerful combination of determination, creativity and hope. Let us empower them and respond to their needs today, so as to make our societies more accessible, enabling and empowering for all our children tomorrow.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
It is fantastic that finallly autism awareness has stretched to include all nations, even to the point of having an international day of awareness. But April 2nd has come and gone and as autism remains, we need to do more than talk the talk. The walk, so to speak, must begin, and serious help for these kids who are affected by this disorder must become available for all. Something must happen, for the therapies that benefit people with autism, to become available to all groups, not just the rich and famous.
I have heard that necessary therapies to give a child with autism the best hope cost a family around $30K a year. Most families just do not have that kind of money. And most insurances are not paying for these therapies. What is the result? Children miss out on the treatments that could change their lives.
What it will cost this International society if treatments are not made available to all children is staggering. We have grown past the point of blaming parents and believing in erroneous theories such as “refrigerator mothers.” Now it is time to realize that autism is a financial obligation that everyone is responsible for.
World Autism Awareness Day Has Come and Gone - Now What?
Third Committee Calls on Assembly to Designate 2 April World Autism Day
It’s Autism Awareness Month
To say more with this video, wouldn’t be right. He says it all. And it is a great way to kick off Autism Awareness Month.
Poll About Autistic Behaviors
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