How Autism Affects You/ Autism Awareness

Before our son Cody was born, my husband, Don, and I knew nothing about autism. Because Cody had a physical disability (blind), we focused on dealing with and learning about visual impairment.  It wasn't until Cody went to a special education preschool that Don and I were first exposed to a child with autism. It was much later, in the early '90's, when we learned that autism is a spectrum disorder and we decided to have Cody evaluated (see this post).

I am very passionate about autism awareness because it affects my family and the following examples show how it affects you too ... 

• Your child will have a classmate with autism. 
• You will have a co-worker with ASD. 
• You will have a student in your classroom on the spectrum. 
• Your tax dollars will be spent on early education programs and special ed.
• You will have a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin or neighbor with autism. 

I'm not trying to be Mrs. Doom and Gloom, just keeping it real. Here are some facts about autism that everyone should know...

Autism affects 1 in 88 children and in Utah, where I live, it affects 1 in 47! 

Boys are 5 times more likely than girls to have autism.

Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the United States and a global health crisis.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. Many families and businesses will be Lighting Up Blue to help raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  Please consider participating by wearing blue, lighting up the exterior of your home, and/or donating. Toys R Us, T.J. Maxx, Joe's Crab Shack and Dollar General have all supported autism awareness in years past. Whenever you see the Autism Speaks logo, consider donating. Your money will go to a much needed cause!

To learn more about autism and the Light It Up Blue campaign, please watch the video below.