Today is World Autism Awareness Day

Today, April 2nd, is World Autism Awareness Day. Adopted by the United Nations in 2007, today is the day to recognize and spread awareness on the condition that affects millions of people throughout the world. In addition to raising awareness about autism, today is also meant to spur and draw attention to the unacceptable discrimination, abuse and isolation experienced by people with autism and their loved ones.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said in a statement, "Although developmental disabilities such as autism begin in childhood, they persist throughout a person’s life. Our work with and for people with autism should not be limited to early identification and treatment; it should include therapies, educational plans and other steps that lead us towards sustained, lifelong engagement."

Get the facts on autism below:

• Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys 
• Autism prevalence figures are growing 
• More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. 
• Autism costs the nation $126 billion per year 
• Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases 
• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism 
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

*Source: Autism Speaks


Were you surprised by the aforementioned facts?