Monday, March 13, 2017

April is the Autism Awareness Month

Nearly a quarter century ago, the Autism Society launched a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with ASD is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life. This year we want to go beyond simply promoting autism awareness to encouraging friends and collaborators to become partners in movement toward acceptance and appreciation.
Let’s embrace a new perspective. For over 50 years we have worked in communities (both large and small) to ensure our actions, through our services and programming, supported all individuals living with autism. Let’s expand this work to focus on the rest of us – ensuring acceptance and inclusion in schools and communities that results in true appreciation of the unique aspects of all people. We want to get one step closer to a society where those with ASDs are truly valued for their unique talents and gifts.
Join us in celebration for 2017 National Autism Awareness Month! National Autism Awareness Month represents an excellent opportunity to promote autism awareness, autism acceptance and to draw attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis each year.
How is it celebrated?
What can I do?

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Put on the Puzzle! The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most recognized symbol of the autism community in the world. Autism prevalence is now one in every 68 children in America. Show your support for people with autism by wearing the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon – as a pin on your shirt, a magnet on your car, a badge on your blog, or even your Facebook profile picture – and educate folks on the potential of people with autism! To learn more about the Autism Awareness Ribbon, click here. To purchase the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon for your shirt, car, locker or refrigerator, click here.
Connect with your neighborhood. Many Autism Society local affiliates hold special events in their communities throughout the month of April. But if you can’t find an event that suits you just right, create your own!

About 29Acres Fouders

Clay Heighten, M.D. and Debra Caudy, M.D. have been married for 30 years and are the proud parents of three girls and one boy.
Their fourth child, Jon, was born with moderate to severe autism in 1997.
Clay and Debra have been involved for many years in supporting basic science research in understanding the causes of autism at UT Southwestern Medical School. Their donations created the Jon Brigham Heighten Endowed Scholar Fund, which currently supports the research of Dr. Genivieve Kopepka, who has accomplished milestones studying the PTEN gene that have garnered millions of dollars of additional NIH and private foundation grants. Direct contribution to the laboratory of Dr. Craig Powell for studies of the SHANK gene’s role in autism have also led to grants from the NIH in excess of $3 million.