Submitted by Duncan Insurance
Since 1989, April 2 has been declared World Autism Awareness Day. Since every cause seems to be represented by a colored ribbon, like pink for breast cancer, and red for Aids, autism has chosen light blue for their ribbon color.
This year the theme chosen to raise awareness for autism is “Light It Up Blue”. As a show of support, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Niagara Falls, and The Sidney Opera House will all illuminate their places with special blue lighting to show support for this cause.
With 1% of all children in the United States between the ages of 3 and 17 having an autism spectrum disorder, it is becoming more and more prevalent in society today. Right now it is estimated that 60 billion dollars will be spent on autism this year, and in the next ten years it will grow to 400 billion.
Autism effects 1 in 88 births, and 1-54 boys will be diagnosed. No one knows what causes autism, but many believe it is due to exposure to chemicals that can happen even before the child is born, while others believe it is from giving your child certain vaccinations. While there are many theories as to what the actual cause is, research has not been able to pinpoint any specific cause. Studies have also shown that only 56% of students with autism will finish high school.
There are very specific areas of the brain that are affected by autism, but most importantly, the area most often affected are the sections which control the muscles used for speaking, perception, behavioral reactions, emotional responses, and aggressive behaviors. In many cases children who are diagnosed with autism also later develop epilepsy.
Early intervention seems to be the key to helping treat children with autism. Using dogs as a way to help children with autism seems to be very effective. Dogs help provide a calm and secure environment in times of stress, and can help improve the child’s quality of life, independence, and safety, and help to decrease agressive behaviors.
Some of the things you can do today to help support this cause are to hold a fund raising event where everyone donates money to Autism Speaks, get everyone to wear light blue, or even just change the light bulb on your porch to blue, all as a show of support for this worthwhile cause.
