World Autism Awareness Day 2014

Today, April 2, 2014, is World Autism Awareness Day, and the month of April is National Autism Awareness Month. About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to estimates from Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.

Autism Speaks has published several tool kits for individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and others affected by and interested in autism. The Tool Kits Page provides a complete listing of the kits, with links to download them free of charge.

Of special interest are the 100 Day Kits for newly diagnosed individuals and families, to "help them make the best use of the 100 days following their child's diagnosis." These include the 100 Day Kit and the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Tool Kit.

Also of interest is the Advocacy Tool Kit. This kit is designed "to provide a basic knowledge of advocacy and negotiation skills. The kit will show how to apply these skills to different situations throughout the lifespan of an individual with autism."

More Resources on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Asperger Syndrome Fact Sheet
• Autism Fact Sheet
• Autism Society
• CDC Autism Spectrum Disorder Page