Facts about Autism
Did you know ...
make a difference for Mav and others like him learn more about Autism HERE. I will be sharing our journey with Autism here on the blog all month long too. - Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
- Autism prevalence figures are growing
- Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
- Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
- Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
- Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
- There is no medical detection or cure for autism
- Total 2012 NIH budget: $30.86 billion
- Of this, only $169 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.55% of total NIH funding.
I'll share different things we'll be doing this month like going to Build A Bear. It's become a tradition for our family to go make one of these special bears.
Tonight and for the rest of the month our house will be lit up blue. We have the blue bulbs for our porch lights and have been doing this the last couple years. we have gotten questions from those who have seen our house and they always think its cool once we've explained the reason why we do it.
If you've read this leave a comment letting me know you did, if you've shared it with friends let me know that, if your life has been changed by Autism share it. I want to do a giveaway starting today running til Saturday April 6th. If you leave a comment you will be entered to win a personalized necklace created by me and if you're a paper crafter I'll send some of those goodies your way too.
So what are you waiting for? Leave a comment you just might be the winner.
8 comments:
Mandy-May...give Mav a hug from me and hugs to you!
Hi Mandy, thank you for sharing that April is Autism month. I had no idea. My nephew was diagnosed with Autism nearly 2 years ago. He turns 4 this month. I just purchased the Build a Bear for my nephew. He'll love its softness :)
Hi Mandy,
Even though I have never met Mav. I know you, and I know how hard you and your family work and how hard you love for your boy! Just your example has made me more aware of all the blessings and challenges life can bring.
I have also been influenced for good by Autism. Several years ago, my hubby & I were the sunday school teachers for a boy with autism. Not to sound trite, but we definitely learned more from him, than he learned from us.
I learned that everyone is unique. And being unique is amazing.
I learned it is ok to be loud in church, it is more than ok, it is awesome.
I also re-learned how to play Perfection and that game never gets old.
I learned all the words to the song
"Little Fish".
I learned there are no boundaries for love.
I learned that the simplest of things can bring joy: a hug, a high-five, or sometimes just a fist bump.
There are so many more. Thank you for letting me remember the joy of autism! I can't wait to hear more from you this month!
Hi Mandy...your precious Mav has and always will have a special place in my heart...and we've never met. I still have the sweet gifts he sent a few years ago. Oh how I love the connections found through blogging. Much love and many hugs to you and your family! -Lisa
By the way, I just shared a link to your blog on Facebook. I have over 1000 friends (comes from growing up in the south and the south finally finding modern technology...haha)so it should be seen by a few people. LOL!
Found your blog via Lisa T. Howard. Thanks for sharing. My 5.5 year old son is in the diagnosis process. The working diagnosis right now is high-functioning autism.
Mandy your honesty is super refreshing and real to read. Autism is something very close to me as my 3 year old nephew was just recently re-evaluated to being on the spectrum. Brock Allen has all sorts of sensory things; no loud noises, textures, no new people ( though oddly he sat on my hubs' lap all through dinner the other night and had not seen him at all for a year, so go figure. ) Brock Allen has trouble processing commands, making eye contact and is completely fixated on trains. He goes ballistic for anything that looks like it could run on a track. Through all of these things I honestly can't say I know how it is to live with them 24/7 so my damn hat goes off to all parents who have kids dealing with the crap Mav and BA has.
Mandy, I read this in my reader when you posted it, sorry I'm only just coming back to comment now. I think that lighting your house up is such an awesome and special way to spread the word about Autism .
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