Autism Society of North Carolina Marks Autism Awareness Month in April
Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) April 01, 2014 -- April is Autism Awareness Month, an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the autism community and educate the public. Throughout the month, the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) will be highlighting the challenges faced by families and individuals affected by autism in our state, and how the community can support them as they work to overcome these issues and lead fulfilling lives.
1 in 58 in NC
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a growing concern in the United States, as evidenced by updated prevalence rates released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New data from 11 states showed that 1 in 68 children had ASD, a 30 percent increase since a 2012 report, when it was 1 in 88.
In North Carolina, which was one of the 11 states monitored through the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM), the prevalence rate is 1 in 58 children. This is an increase of 17 percent from the 2012 report.
Early Intervention Works
Faced with this increasing population, ASNC aims to continue to educate the public and professionals about the signs and symptoms of ASD, and the best practices for working with individuals who have ASD. Early intervention has been proven to be effective and reduce costs of care across the lifespan by approximately $1 million per child.
Visit our website, http://www.autismsociety-nc.org, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter throughout April to learn more about how ASNC:
• Supports individuals and their families and caregivers.
• Informs law- and policy-makers about issues that affect the autism community.
• Supports families in all 100 counties through our Autism Resource Specialists.
• Provides opportunities for the public to get involved and help.
World Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day
To kick off the month’s activities, families and self-advocates will gather for a day of fun and fellowship, including a free cookout and opportunities to talk with ASNC staff, at Camp Royall in Moncure on Wednesday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Families will be available for interviews and photo opportunities. If you would like to set up a specific interview time, please contact David Laxton, Director of Communications, at 919-599-7257 or dlaxton(at)autismsociety-nc(dot)org.
Background:
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Recent studies estimate that up to 1 of every 58 children born in North Carolina will be affected by ASD.
• For more than 44 years, the Autism Society of North Carolina has worked to address areas of need and expand services for the autism community in North Carolina. ASNC works to directly improve the lives of individuals affected by autism, by providing advocacy, education, and services.
• Additional information is available by calling 1-800-442-2762 or by visiting http://www.autismsociety-nc.org.
David Laxton, Autism Society of North Carolina, http://www.autismsociety-nc.org, 919-865-5063, [email protected]
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