Young Children Newsletter, July 2019
A Great Young Children SERVICE PROJECT
Provide activity packets for
children inEmergency Room waiting areas.1) for older children 6-8 yrs that can
read and do simple word search puzzles, mazes, tic tac doe, and more intricate
coloring sheets. 2) for 3-5 yr olds with very simple coloring sheets etc. Each
activity packet was placed in a Manila envelope and labelled “Busy Bee”. A
Kiwanis label can be placed on the envelope. The Club involved their Key Club
to help stuff the envelopes and decorate them.
For questions please contact
Reona Dyess
Kiwanis Club of New London
CT.
PARENT
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT
AUTISM EDUCATION AND
AWARENESS
Fact: Autism affects one in
68 children each year including 1 in 42 boys and their families.
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
reports “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.
DOWNS
SYNDROME
Fact: Down
syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 691
babies in the United States is born with Down 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 2019.
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 Young Children Project is completed, 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 Chair
Young Children Committee
New England and Bermuda
District of Kiwanis
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