Light It Up Blue!

Hey Y'all:

I am supporting my beautiful blogging sister HangingWithMrsCooper in her effort to get the word out about Autism.

Last night prominent buildings across North America and the world including the Empire State Building in New York City and the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada were lit up blue to raise awareness for autism and to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day which is today Friday, April 2.

In an effort to support this cause I am posting and going blue. My Godson and nephew both are beautiful little boys who are affected by autism.


According to the World Autism Awareness Day site -

• Today, 1 in 110 American children is diagnosed with autism.


• Approximately 67 million people worldwide are affected by autism


• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the WORLD


• More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer and AIDS combined.


• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.


• there is no medial detection or cure for autism, but early diagnosis and intervention improve outcomes

Wow, you might be saying. Well how to I spread the word MrsDeveter? It's a bit short notice but here are some things you can do today.

• Change your Facebook profile picture to the Light It Up Blue logo and tag at least 10 of your friends.


• Post on your blog about how you are “lighting it up blue” to raise autism awareness.


• Add the Light It Up Blue logo to your e-mail signature … and type your e-mails in blue!


• Bake puzzle piece shaped cookies and frost them with blue icing, then bring them to your school, work or place of worship to raise autism awareness.

Thanks for your support.

Until next time...

MUAH!

*What is Autism?

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a persons lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a persons ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe. All of these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social abilities, and also by repetitive behaviors.

Autism spectrum disorders can usually be reliably diagnosed by age 3, while first diagnosis usually takes place around 18-24 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child's failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then lost skills. Pediatricians may initially dismiss signs of autism, thinking a child will "catch up," and may advise parents to "wait and see." new research shows that when parents suspect something is wrong with their child, they are usually correct. If you have concerns about your child's development, don't wait: speak to your pediatrician about getting your child screened for autism. Although parents may have concerns about labeling a toddler as "autistic," the earlier a diagnosis is given, the earlier interventions can begin. Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no single effective treatment, and no known cure.