EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT/
YOUNG CHILDREN PRIORITY ONE NEWSLETTER
AVA ADAMS, DISTRICT CHAIR
NEW ENGLAND AND BERMUDA DISTRICT
JUNE 2017
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.
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.”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 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
HIPPY (Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters)
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
Young Children Priority One District Chair
New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis
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