World Autism Awareness Day April 2nd

Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center
News and Press Releases

For more information, contact:
Kim Horyn, Director
Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center
646-341-3043
khoryn@autismspeaks.org [1]

The United Nations has adopted a resolution declaring April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day, which speaks to the prevalence and significance of the autism epidemic world-wide. There are only two other health-related United Nations World Day events: Diabetes and AIDS. April is also National Autism Awareness Month.

In recognition of these occasions and to increase awareness of the autism epidemic, the Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center has coordinated several community-wide events:

on April 1stand 2nd , the Nantucket School Committee and the Board of Selectmen, respectively, will read a proclamation to “implement the ideals of World Autism Awareness Day on Nantucket on April 2nd in perpetuity until the cure for autism is found;”

1:00 pm, Saturday, April 5th, the Nantucket Atheneum will host a reading for children, aged 3 – 8, at the Atheneum, with dessert to follow;

the Starlight Theatre will show Autism the Musical, a documentary film that follows the families of children with autism (date to be determined);

the Nantucket Public School system will also be involved with teachers wearing the puzzle piece pin and leading classroom discussions and readings;

Nantucket Cottage Hospital will display the Warning Signs of autism throughout the hospital and in the doctors' offices;

Childcare centers will also display the Warning Signs of autism for parents and childcare providers.

the Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center will donate nearly 100 books to island schools and childcare centers for the purpose of conducting discussions with students about what autism is and the importance of befriending children with autism

Bob and Suzanne Wright, who co-founded Autism Speaks in 1995 when their grandson was diagnosed with autism, welcomed the adoption of the United Nations' resolution.

“By bringing autism awareness to a global level, we'll give it a voice to the millions of children worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood, abused and looking for help,” Bob Wright said

The mission of the Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center is to provide current information and comprehensive resources for families, professionals and the community for the purpose of educating and increasing awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Resource Center is dedicated to empowering families and individuals impacted by autism to make informed decisions by providing resource information that covers all aspects of autism and ASD, from birth through adult care.

The Nantucket Walk for Autism is scheduled for Saturday, August 16th. Community members are invited to join the Walk and convene a team and can register at www.walknowforautism.org/nantucket. [2]

For [2] more information, please visit www.autismspeaks.org [3], or contact Kim Horyn, Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center Director, at khoryn@autismspeaks.org [4],
646-341-3043.