April is Autism Awareness Month

Margo Austein, Director of Special Education

• There are 1.77 million cases of autism in the U.S.

• A new case of autism is diagnosed nearly every 20 minutes

• There are 24,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. per year

• 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism (CDC 2007)

• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

• Physicians, parents and educators are instrumental in the detection of autism

• Boys are 4 times more likely than girls to have autism

These are the facts. Most of us know someone who has been diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. This is a fast growing disability category that impacts society today. This April has been identified as the first ever Autism Awareness Month.

What is Autism? It is a developmental disorder, which manifests itself in early childhood. The child with a diagnosis of autism struggles with communication and social interactions. A milder form of this disability is known as Asperger’s Syndrome. Often this child is limited in what can be learned from the natural environment because this child shows little interest in the world around him. Early intervention and special education are assisting these children with making significant progress. With the collaboration of educators, medical professionals, and families great things are happening for children diagnosed with Autism.

Sutton Public School District would like to share in the participation of Autism Awareness Month. Many thanks to a caring and dedicated parent from our community who has donated some wonderful books that will be placed in the Elementary school library. These books will be read to our students with the purpose of teaching tolerance, acceptance and appreciation of children with special needs. Please assist your children to develop a better understanding of this disability and emphasize that every individual has their personal strengths and challenges. Please share with us as we celebrate each student as unique and capable of greatness.

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