A discussion on Applied Behavior Analysis, ASD, and special education. Nick and I started this page in 2011 for “World Autism Awareness Day (April 2)”. We have been using this page as a means of sharing information about Autism, life with autism and to help others access resources. Help us to continue to educate others about Autism by asking your familiy, friends and coworkers to "Turn the World Blue on April 2". It's not like you can easily recognize autism if you see it. You have to be aware of what autism is in order to recognize it, which only comes through being educated. Despite the increasing numbers of children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum daily, I still meet people who don’t understand what autism is and how it affects my child or my family. Autism is a term used to describe a neurological condition that may result in delayed speech, motor, social and cognitive skills achievement or development. It is sometimes referred to as PDD, Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. It is estimated that one in every 1 in 49 children in NJ will be diagnosed with autism. Studies suggest boys are 4 times more likely than girls to develop autism. My son Nick was diagnosed 2 weeks after his third birthday. Today Nick is verbal, socially out going and making academic strides beyond what I dreamed possible. We still have a long road ahead of us, but I believe that he will continue to move forward and that he will be happy and successful. This year Nick, Brit, Paul and I are going to educate others about autism by:
hosting our annual Light It Up Blue Happy Hour on April 13, posting like crazy, blogging, tweeting and walking on May 19 with Autism Speaks. Support the cause by getting decked out in your most stylish Blue attire and post a pic on Nick's page on April 2.
