2008 Woodie Awards
Awareness of Autism raises understandings of the disorder
By Ashley Kresky
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Features
Imagine being unable to verbally communicate your likes, dislikes, interests and desires. Picture what it would be like to be restricted from displaying a warm, joyful smile. Think about what life would be like if one could not show any form of affection, and a gesture as simple as hugging a loved one was the most difficult task in the world. These effortless skills that people take for granted are the complications that a person with autism struggles with on a daily basis.
Autism spectrum disorders affect one in every 150 children. Sixty-seven patients are diagnosed with autism every day. It is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the United States, yet a majority of the population is unaware of its distinctive symptoms, social limitations, and overwhelming effects on the lives of the patients and everyone they touch.
April is Autism Awareness Month, to reach out and increase an understanding and appreciation of the disorder. Autism Speaks has launched a campaign which will be promoted through print, broadcast, cable, radio and Internet. In their third year of existence, the organization has become the top private funder of autism research, raising $30 million to uncover causes, prevention, treatments and a cure. Their goal is to "change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders."
April 2nd marked the first World Autism Awareness Day. Organizations around the globe held events in hopes of increasing awareness of the widespread disorder.
Autism Speaks defines autism as "a complex neurological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime." It is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. The disorder is prevalent in all racial, ethnic and social groups and four times more likely to affect boys than girls.
The disorder impairs one's ability to communicate and relate to others. Autistic children commonly develop rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects. Symptoms range from mild to severe, as there are different conditions on the autism disorder spectrum.
Autism spectrum disorders affect one in every 150 children. Sixty-seven patients are diagnosed with autism every day. It is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the United States, yet a majority of the population is unaware of its distinctive symptoms, social limitations, and overwhelming effects on the lives of the patients and everyone they touch.
April is Autism Awareness Month, to reach out and increase an understanding and appreciation of the disorder. Autism Speaks has launched a campaign which will be promoted through print, broadcast, cable, radio and Internet. In their third year of existence, the organization has become the top private funder of autism research, raising $30 million to uncover causes, prevention, treatments and a cure. Their goal is to "change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders."
April 2nd marked the first World Autism Awareness Day. Organizations around the globe held events in hopes of increasing awareness of the widespread disorder.
Autism Speaks defines autism as "a complex neurological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime." It is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. The disorder is prevalent in all racial, ethnic and social groups and four times more likely to affect boys than girls.
The disorder impairs one's ability to communicate and relate to others. Autistic children commonly develop rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects. Symptoms range from mild to severe, as there are different conditions on the autism disorder spectrum.
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