What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

Every year on April 2, per the designation by the United Nations, the world observes World Autism Awareness Day. Per the decree issued by the UN:

World Autism Awareness Day is one of only four specifically health related UN observance days. The developmental, communication, and social problems caused by autism can often lead to discrimination or to a need for special parental care and medical intervention. Autism Day is meant to counteract any discrimination that may occur against those with autism and their careers by creating greater understanding in societies across the world.

On World Autism Day, public and private organizations all over the world that are dedicated to fighting autism and helping those with autism come together and hold special events. There are often research programs alongside the public awareness and fundraising campaigns.

The year we will be shining blue in the month of April, as it is World Autism Awareness month. Our efforts to make a difference in the world of Autism Awareness is to showcase the organizations that are focused on making the lives of persons with Autism as accepted as every other life. We also seek to highlight the things that we as an organization started by a person diagnosed with Autism will be involved in to support Autism Awareness.

The American Autism Awareness Association (myautism.org)

This organization not only has weekly events for persons with autism, they are hosting an event “We Run The Spectrum” that we will be participating in on April 2, 2019. This event will be a virtual run. You can log onto myautism.org and from anywhere in the world grab some friends and go to your local park or anywhere you can run a 5K. Where Blue, to shine the light on Autism Awareness. If you can raise money and donate it to myautism.org.

The work that this organization, based in Miami does is remarkable. Their efforts should be duplicated in every state so that persons with Autism can feel the love and support this organization offers to persons with autism every day.

www.autismspeaks.com

Autism Speaks (autismspeaks.com)

Autism Speaks known all over the world, providing education, advocacy programs, and highlighting real-life stories of persons with autism to demystify the truth about autism. On April 2, they will host their annual “light it up blue” event. Wherever you are light a blue light to show that you support autism awareness.

Author Xavier Waye (xavierwaye.com)

Our fearless leader; Chief Executive Officer and Author Xavier Waye is an autism awareness champion. Every book he sells in his Adventures of Firesky book series he donates $1.50 to autism awareness. In 2018, Xavier donated over $500.00 to local autism awareness events and hoped to raise more funds to donate to various Autism Awareness charities based on the positive work they are doing to raise awareness and acceptance of persons with autism. With the release of his second book in his series, he hopes to at least double the donation in 2019.

You can get involved with any of these organizations and make a difference in raising autism awareness in your local communities. Statistics show that 1 out of every 58 children is diagnosed with autism. Unlike Cancer this diagnosis is not a death sentence, rather it is an opportunity to grow personally, because when we know more, we do more.

When we take the opportunity to learn more about what Autism truly is, our ability to be accepting of all persons, no matter their differences, grows exponentially.

TIME FOR ACCEPTANCE (EVERYDAY!)