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Kiwanis Supports Autism Awarness

Kiwanis Club

KIWANIS REMIND ALL ABOUT AUTISM

April is National Awareness Month. The Kiwanis Club of Hasbrouck Heights asks everyone to be aware of autism’s existence and sensitive to the severe difficulties it presents to individuals and their families.

Autism is an incurable, lifelong disability occurring in approximately 22 out of every 10,000 births. It is usually diagnosed within the first three years of life and is four to five times more prevalent in boys than girls. It affects up to a half million individuals in the United States and nearly 20,000 people in New Jersey

While incurable, autism is treatable. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential in treating this disorder. Common characteristics of autism include deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, socialization and leisure play activities. Stereotypical behavior such as rocking back and forth, hand flapping, lack of eye contact and laughing or crying without apparent reason plague autistic people. Many behaviors can draw curious glances in public.

In order to make the community more aware of Autism, the local Kiwanis Club is working with the Hasbrouck Heights Public Library to have available flyers, brochures, and a brief guide to books on Autism. There is also an Autism Reading List for children and adolescents as well as a flyer just for kids. We hope that the material we have will answer most of the questions concerning Autism.

Anyone interested in learning more about autistic spectrum disorders should contact the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC) at 800 – 428 – 8476 or visit their web site at www.njcosac.org..

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