Peggy
Well-known member
April is Autism Awareness Month. However, more important to me, is that World Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd, 2011.
An organization called Autism Speaks is one of the founders of this cause, Light It Up Blue, to spread awareness of autism and to commemorate WAAD.
Here are some facts for you..... 6 years ago, 1 in 150 children were diagnosed with Autism.
Those stats today are alarmingly different. 1 in 110 children are being diagnosed with some form of Autism.
One in 70 of those diagnosed, are boys. 1 in 70.
Why am I posting about this here? This is very personal for me.
You see, my 11 yr old son, Ed, is one of those 1 in 70 boys. Ed was diagnosed with several disorders on the Autism spectrum, 6 yrs ago when he was 5 yrs old. Mainly he has Asperger Syndrome, sensory processing disorder, severe anxiety disorder, Obsessive/Compulsive disorder - all disorders associated with Autism.
Yet he is a very high-functioning little guy. Extremely intelligent (his IQ test 3 years ago scored 152), computer savvy, makes straight A's in school, is completely obsessed with anything electronic - computers, iPod, DSi, Wii - and loves to study science, and weather.
To just spend casual time with him, you'd never know he's autistic. He's fun, affectionate, has a vocabulary that astounds his teachers on a daily basis (asperger kids are often referred to as "little professors" because of their extended and adult vocabulary), and is a joy to be around. You'd have to live with him 24/7 to know of his (what are often referred to as) oddities, idiosyncrasies, and obsessions.
Now that I've babbled on, I have a favor to ask.
I'm asking each of you to please join me in participating in Light It Up Blue, commemorating World Autism Awareness Day, on April 2. It's very easy to participate. All you have to do is 1- Wear something blue that day. OR 2 - change your outside light bulbs to blue bulbs and let 'em shine. That's it.
Please check out this website - http://www.lightitupblue.org. It really is a world effort. Buildings such as the Empire State building, the Sears Tower, the Statue of Liberty, most state capitols, the Eiffel Tower, Most US Embassies, and many other capitols around the world participate in Light It Up Blue. Also on that site you see how you can spread the word via FB, and you'll even find an iPhone app!
SO I'm asking you, in honor of my son, and all the children (and adults) diagnosed with Autism disorders.....
Will you join me, my friends?
An organization called Autism Speaks is one of the founders of this cause, Light It Up Blue, to spread awareness of autism and to commemorate WAAD.
Here are some facts for you..... 6 years ago, 1 in 150 children were diagnosed with Autism.
Those stats today are alarmingly different. 1 in 110 children are being diagnosed with some form of Autism.
One in 70 of those diagnosed, are boys. 1 in 70.
Why am I posting about this here? This is very personal for me.
You see, my 11 yr old son, Ed, is one of those 1 in 70 boys. Ed was diagnosed with several disorders on the Autism spectrum, 6 yrs ago when he was 5 yrs old. Mainly he has Asperger Syndrome, sensory processing disorder, severe anxiety disorder, Obsessive/Compulsive disorder - all disorders associated with Autism.
Yet he is a very high-functioning little guy. Extremely intelligent (his IQ test 3 years ago scored 152), computer savvy, makes straight A's in school, is completely obsessed with anything electronic - computers, iPod, DSi, Wii - and loves to study science, and weather.
To just spend casual time with him, you'd never know he's autistic. He's fun, affectionate, has a vocabulary that astounds his teachers on a daily basis (asperger kids are often referred to as "little professors" because of their extended and adult vocabulary), and is a joy to be around. You'd have to live with him 24/7 to know of his (what are often referred to as) oddities, idiosyncrasies, and obsessions.
Now that I've babbled on, I have a favor to ask.
I'm asking each of you to please join me in participating in Light It Up Blue, commemorating World Autism Awareness Day, on April 2. It's very easy to participate. All you have to do is 1- Wear something blue that day. OR 2 - change your outside light bulbs to blue bulbs and let 'em shine. That's it.
Please check out this website - http://www.lightitupblue.org. It really is a world effort. Buildings such as the Empire State building, the Sears Tower, the Statue of Liberty, most state capitols, the Eiffel Tower, Most US Embassies, and many other capitols around the world participate in Light It Up Blue. Also on that site you see how you can spread the word via FB, and you'll even find an iPhone app!
SO I'm asking you, in honor of my son, and all the children (and adults) diagnosed with Autism disorders.....
Will you join me, my friends?