Today, there are many organizations geared towards raising autism awareness. Two of the organizations that do their part to raise the awareness level for autistic spectrum disorders are The Autism Society of America and Autism Speaks. These are the two most popular organizations focused on helping individuals who have autism. These organizations work to raise money for research by hosting benefits and walks, among other programs. The more that is known about these disorders, the higher the likelihood of more breakthroughs in treatments.
In 1965, Bernard Rimland, Phd. started the Autism Society of America, also known as the ASA. Today, it is the oldest and largest autistic organization in the world. The ASA has over 120,000 supporters and members and does their part in raising autism awareness. Another widely known advocate for autism is Autism Speaks. This organization was started in 2005 Bob and Suzanne Wright, after finding out that their grandson had autism. AS is based in New York City.
The month of April has been designated as Autism Awareness Month. During April, U.S. television shows dedicate episodes to different aspects of autistic disorders. Also, many companies and organizations have teamed up to raise awareness for autism disorders and funds to help with research. In December 2007, a resolution that declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day was passed by the United Nations. Having awareness raised to these levels is extremely important if huge strides will ever be made in solving the autism puzzle.
It is important to raise autism awareness to both allow individuals to understand these disorders and to help raise the needed funds for more extensive research, and hopefully someday, develop a cure. If you have a family member who has been stricken by one of these disorders, then you totally understand how important this research can be. There are those in the world whose lives have not been touched by these issues and may not fully understand the importance of finding a cure. Organizations, such as The ASA and AS, work to heighten the awareness level of autism. Hopefully, a cure will be found one day.
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