Fact: Autism affects one in 68 children
each year including 1 in 42 boys and their families.
Fact: Down syndrome is the most
commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 691 babies in the United
States is born with Down syndrome.
PARENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT
AUTISM EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Autism is becoming a global problem; more
children will be diagnosed with Autism this year than AIDS, diabetes and cancer
combined. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the U.S. Early detection means earlier access to
intervention during sensitive brain development. Most children today
are diagnosed between the age of 3 and 6 rears. Approximately 75% to 86% of
those children who receive early intervention services between the ages of 2
and 7 will develop some form of functional communication by age 9. It would
be most beneficial to the child if diagnosis were to occur by 18 months of age.
By detecting and diagnosing these disorders early on, intervention can be
initiated earlier and positive results can occur. Cost of lifelong care can
be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention. The U.S. cost of
autism over the lifespan is about $2.4 million for a person with an
intellectual disability, or $1.4 million for a person without intellectual
disability
The latest look at autism in the U.S. shows
a startling 30 percent jump among 8-year-olds diagnosed with the disorder in a
two-year period, to one in every 68 children (including 1 in 42 boys)
will be diagnosed with this disorder.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, which did the survey, says the numbers almost certainly reflect
more awareness and diagnosis of kids who would have been missed in years past.
“The number of children diagnosed with
autism continues to rise,” the agency’s Dr. Coleen Boyle told reporters.
But the CDC noted that the numbers vary
greatly from state to state, and it did not use a nationally representative
sample, but a look at groups of children in 11 states.
There is NO link between autism and
childhood vaccines, a major new study finds.
The systematic international review, first
of its kind, conducted by University of Sydney researchers
“No statistical data to support a link
between vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping
cough and the development of autism or autism spectrum disorders.”www.myasdf.org)
WHAT CAN KIWANIS CLUBS DO?
• CONTACT the Autism Spectrum
Disorder Foundation (www.myasdf.org)
for materials to distribute to pediatricians, clinics, parenting classes etc.
Autism rates today are 3 to 4 times higher than 30 years ago. It is
imperative that we increase public awareness of the effects of autism on
individuals and families. EDUCATE THE PULBIC!
• SUPPORT Camp Scholarships
(run by ASDF) which allow autistic children the opportunity to explore
new horizons and develop social skills.
MEET JULIA, THE NEWEST MUPPET ON SESAME
STREET
Julia is the newest friend to join Elmo,
Big Bird and the "Sesame Street" family in a new program designed to
spread awareness about children with autism.
The bright-eyed and cheerful little girl
plays an essential role in Sesame Street and Autism: See All in Amazing
Children, an initiative launched to promote awareness about autism.
One in 68 U.S. children has an autism
spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a report by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. A 2014 report by the CDC estimates that 1 in 42
boys has autism, 4.5 times as many as girls (1 in 189).
The Sesame Street and Autism: See All
in Amazing Children program is available as an app and on desktop. It
includes daily routine cards and resources to help family, friends and others
who encounter children with autism.
Sesame Workshop partnered with 14 other
organizations, including the Yale Child Study Center and Autism Speaks, on
the initiative.
DOWNS SYNDROME
Down syndrome occurs when some or all
of a person’s cells have an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This
additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the
characteristics associated with Down syndrome.
There are more than 400,000 people living
with Down syndrome in the United States in people of all races and economic
levels.
The incidence of births of children with
Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. But due to higher fertility
rates in younger women, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women
under 35 years of age.
People with Down syndrome have an
increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects,
respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia, and
thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people
with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.
WHAT CAN KIWANIS CLUBS DO?
1 Donate
2 Shop NDSS
3 Partner
4 Attend an Event
5. Organize a Buddy Walk Event
• The Buddy Walk was
established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down
Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of
people with Down syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk program is supported
nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by parent support groups,
schools and other organizations and individuals.
• Over the past sixteen years,
the Buddy Walk program has grown from 17 walks to nearly 300
across the country and around the world.
Last year alone, 285,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk! They raised more
than $11.2 million to benefit local programs and services as well as the
national advocacy initiatives that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.
• The Buddy Walk is a one-mile
walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is an
inspirational and educational event that celebrates the many abilities and
accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Whether you have Down syndrome,
know someone who does, or just want to show your support, join a Buddy
Walk in your local community!
• BUDDY WALKS CONTINUE
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR; CHECK THE WEBSITE. THERE ARE WALKS GOING ON IN NEW ENGLAND
IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2018.
OTHER PROJECT IDEAS:
Support a Parenting Fair
Initiate a Home Support Visitation
Program for Pregnant/New Moms
Start A Family Resource Library
Support Childbirth Classes either
financially or with educational materials
I hope that your Club can find one new
project to do from all the information I am including in my newsletters.
If one new YCPO Project is done, then I have achieved my goal. Of course
I hope we all do more! We have lots of work to do; let's just do it!
Ava Adams, District Coordinator
Young Children Priority One (YCPO)
New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis
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