Good Morning fellow Kiwanians!
Fact: Autism affects one in 68 children each year including 1 in 42 boys and their families. (www.myasdf.org)
Fact: Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome. (www.ndss.org)
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. 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 new estimate for 2010 was a jump from one in 88 children in 2008, the last year for which numbers had been available. “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.
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
www.ndss.org
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 expected in 2013 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 2016.
OTHER PROJECT IDEAS:
• Support a Parenting Fair
• Initiate a Home Support Visitation Program for Pregnant/New Moms
• Start A Parent Helpline
• 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
Sincerely, Ava Adams, District Chair 2015-16
Early Childhood Development/Y.C.P.O.
Scarborough, Maine
New England and Bermuda District!
email: faithava2008@yahoo.com
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