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World Autism Awareness Day: 5 Ways To Take Action

Posted: 04/ 2/2012 9:09 am Updated: 04/ 2/2012 9:15 am

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One in 88 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disability that more children will be diagnosed with this year than with childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes or pediatric AIDS combined, according to the United Nations.

To help fight the stigma associated with this widespread condition, and advocate for more research and programs for people living with autism, the United Nations General Assembly declared April 2 World Autism Awareness Day.

"Autism is not limited to a single region or a country," said Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, "it is a worldwide challenge that requires global action."

From shining blue lights in iconic landmarks, to raising money to find a cure, World Autism Awareness Day gives advocates the opportunity to highlight the progress that's been made and the critical work that still needs to be done in order to improve the lives of those living with autism.

How can you involved? Click through our slideshow for five ways you can make a meaningful difference.

SLIDESHOW:

Pledge To 'Light It Up Blue'
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To shed light on the growing concern of autism, advocates around the world are turning on blue lights everywhere -- from structures as iconic as the Empire State Building to porch lights at home. Take the pledge to replace at least one light in your life Monday to show your commitment to funding research and finding a cure for autism.

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One in 88 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disability that more children will be diagnosed with this year than with childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes or pediatric AIDS ...
One in 88 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disability that more children will be diagnosed with this year than with childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes or pediatric AIDS ...
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Filed by Eleanor Goldberg  | 
 
 
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Henry Goodwin
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02:19 PM on 04/02/2012
"Autism is not a disease or an entity. It is not something that we must seek out to eradicate. Rather, it is a mode of being, an umbrella term to describe how one relates (or does not relate) to the world. If we look at autism as an entity, a ‘thing’, then this leads us to develop programs that will seek to alter the person into something they are not nor will or can ever be. It causes us to seek to alter the person by force, coercion, and manipulation."
-Psychology Today

I have autism. I am not diseased.

There is no cure for autism, but there is a cure for bigotry.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
TWeissMA
http://www.disabilitymessage.com
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02:24 PM on 04/06/2012
"There is no cure for autism, but there is a cure for bigotry." - Henry Goodwin

Well Said! Endless medical journals and science reports; non-stop research and reporting present a persistent medical perspective of people with autism and many, many other forms of disabilities. For the duration of my lifetime I have been tagged and categorized with ceaseless medical identifications. How very tiresome.

Where is the focus on humanity? Where is the equal focus on accessibility and inclusion? Why; oh why, hasn't America ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?
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