Numbers on the Rise

World Autism Awareness Day

Social Issues – Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and it is not just about being “aware” that autism exists, it’s also about being aware of what has been done, what still needs to be done, and what you can do to help.

Autism is a lifelong disability that impacts “children, their families, communities, and societies,” all over the world. “Autism is not limited to a single region or a country, it is a worldwide challenge that requires global action,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “one in 88 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder,” which is an increase of nearly “25 percent since the last analysis in 2006 and a near-doubling of the rate reported in 2002.”

There is no known cure and “no known cause of autism” and because it is a “spectrum disorder,” “one person with the condition may have milder symptoms, while another person may have more serious symptoms.”

Many children are not usually screened for the condition until they reach age 4 1/2, though signs of the disorder can be seen in children as young as 14 months; according to the Associated Press, minority children are diagnosed approximately a year and a half later.

“Autism is a global public health crisis,” Bob Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks, said in a statement. “We know that early diagnosis and treatment are critical, so it is imperative that the U.S. and governments around the world step up their commitment to helping people living with autism today. The investment we make now is essential to reducing the long-term costs of autism.”

It is abundantly clear that more funding and research is needed in this area, and there are ways you can help. You can start by learning the early signs of autism, after that, help raise awareness of the condition by joing a walk or a run, mail a letter with an Autism Awareness stamp, and sign a petition asking for the government to help raise awareness about the condition.

Sign the Petition Here.

Donate to Autism Speaks.

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Read more here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.