April is Autism Awareness Month
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
By: Kate Ranta

ASA Chapters Prepare Hundreds of Local Community Events for NAAM

April is National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM)—an awareness initiative established in 1972 by the Autism Society of America (ASA)—and ASA’s national headquarters and its network of nearly 200 local chapters across the nation are preparing to increase autism awareness throughout the month.

Raising Awareness:

• Discover magazine will feature a cover story on autism in April. ASA and Dr. Martha Herbert, member of ASA’s Panel of Professional Advisors and a leading expert on environmental health and autism (read her article featured in ASA’s Autism Advocate magazine at http://www.autism-society.org/environmental_health), were both used as resources for the article. ASA also provided background research for autism for articles appearing in Reader’s Digest, People and Working Mother.
• ASA will be working with “Today’s Family,” an educational, family-friendly program on PAX television. The half-hour show, to be run this summer and several more times throughout the year, will feature ASA President and CEO Lee Grossman as well as the Klutts family, from the Howard County Chapter of ASA. More details about the program will follow.
• ASA’s national headquarters has launched its “Hometown Heroes” campaign in the month of April, in which local chapters honor first responders who keep our families safe, and provide them with important information on how to handle a child or adult with autism during an encounter.
• ASA’s Board of Directors will meet with members of Congress for “A Day on the Hill” March, 23, 2007 leading up to NAAM. Members will be asked that Congress appropriate adequate funding for autism in FY 2008.

Local Chapter Events*:

• San Diego, CA, Saturday April 14, 2007: SDASA invites you to go All Out for Autism! Join us for a special evening of delicious food, creative cocktails and lively entertainment. Our 7th annual fundraiser is slated to be the best event yet. You’ll certainly get in the mood with Coronado Big Band’s 16-piece ensemble playing Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Glen Miller and more. Professional swing dancers will dazzle you with their moves, incredible door prizes, food by French Gourmet, all to benefit SDASA’s program, CAMP I CAN;  http://www.sd-autism.org/alloutforautism/index.htm
• Cleveland, OH, Tuesday April 17, 2007: Greater Cleveland Chili Cook-Off for Autism to benefit the Autism Society of Greater Cleveland. Join family and friends to sample some delicious chili and share a wonderful time with a chance to win some great prizes. At the Terrace Club of Jacobs Field; http://www.asgc.org/chili_cook_off_2007.htm
• Pensacola, FL, Tuesday April 17, 2007: Autism Society of the Panhandle hosts an Autism Awareness Month Community Service Fair. Learn what is offered by and sign up for varied community services. CARD and groups like the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Pensacola Police "Take Me Home Program," MetLife Special Needs Planning, FIN, UCP and many more will offer tons of information and materials for all ages. ASP also is hosting the ASP Motorcycle Ride for NAAM; http://www.autismpensacola.org/
• Philadelphia, PA, Sunday April 22, 2007: Autism Society of America Greater Philadelphia Chapter hosts its 8th Annual Autism Awareness Day at the Philadelphia Zoo, music, magic, jugglers, face-painting, a puppet show, rain or shine, a good time for all. Also during NAAM, ASA Philly spreads awareness through it Puzzle Ribbon Campaign which provides ribbons to schools in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties., and is hosting a discussion on adult services. http://www.asaphilly.org/
• Richmond, VA: The Central Virginia Chapter of the ASA is hosting NAAM activities throughout the month of April including six billboards featuring autism awareness and advertising their 5K Run/Walk for Autism on May 26, 2007, a scholarship program kick off for summer camps, a contest among the four county schools systems they serve for best PSA promoting autism awareness, plus a family party for their membership in lieu of their monthly meeting! Way to go! http://www.asacv.org/
• ASA Walks The Walk: ASA chapters across the U.S. are hosting walks for autism awareness during NAAM, including Delaware, Oregon, Northwest PA, Kalamazoo MI, Pima County AZ, and the Acadian Society in LA, to name a few. Check out all our chapters at http://www.autismsource.org/

*We will announce more chapter events both online and in upcoming ASA-Net e-newsletters.

National Partnerships:

• ASA is proud to partner with Pump It Up, an national inflatable party zone company that offers giant, custom designed, interactive inflatable play structures with fun and safety in mind. Pump It Up has over 150 locations in 40 states.  In April, participating Pump It Up franchises across the nation will support ASA and spread autism awareness throughout their communities.  Franchisees will hold a series of events and all proceeds will be donated to ASA.

  To find the location nearest you please visit http://www.pumpitupparty.com/

• As previously announced, ASA has partnered with Easter Seals, and the two will work together throughout the month of April—and beyond—on raising autism awareness and providing services directly to families.
  
• ASA has partnered with A. Tierney Accessories for its April Shop for a Cause Days, and will donate 10% of its online sales to ASA on April 17 and 18, 2007. A. Tierney has been accessorizing people from head to toe for over five years, designing a diverse range of products, including belts, hair accessories, totes, travel accessories, umbrellas, watches and much, much more! Personalization is available on many products and adds the perfect finishing touch. To visit A. Tierney's website, go to http://www.atierney.com/home.aspx.