Monday, April 27, 2009

Autism and Adulthood on NPR

Cathy Pratt, Director of the Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism and Chair of the Autism Society of America (ASA) Board of Directors, was featured on WMAU 88.5 public radio for NPR in the greater Washington D.C. area. Pratt, Sondra Cunningham, President, Autism Society of America, District of Columbia Chapter, and Linda H. Davis, President, SAGE Crossing Foundation, were guests on the Kojo Nnamdi Show, which offers coverage of local, national, and international events. Discussion topics addressed the status of current services and supports for persons on the autism spectrum and what those services and supports should look like in the future.

To listen to the interview, click here.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

April is Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month. It is known as the puzzling disability and interferes with social interactions, sensory processing, and ways of communicating.

Autism Society of America statistics:
- 1 in 150-166 births
- 1 to 1.5 million Americans
- Fastest-growing developmental disability
- 10 - 17 % annual growth

Growth comparison during the 1990s:
- U.S. population increase: 13%
- Disabilities increase: 16%
- Autism increase: 172%

For more information, check out the Autism Speaks ASD Video Glossary at: Autism Speaks