This month, in recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, Autism NOW is celebrating along with millions across the United States, and taking a closer look at how Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects the lives of many.
In the United States, over 80 percent of people have religious affiliations. Popular religions practiced in the US include Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
March is also National Women’s History Month. Each year, a special Presidential Proclamation honors the achievements of American women, and I wanted to honor the incredible achievements of a few women who have autism or another developmental disability.
March marks the beginning of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. During this month, many people and organizations across the country raise awareness about issues facing individuals with developmental disabilities.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month thanks to a 1987 Presidential Proclamation which was the direct result of the efforts of The Arc and other organizations dedicated to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Disasters and emergencies create challenges for all people; however, for people with autism and other developmental disabilities, emergencies may also present additional challenges to daily routines and to the ability to communicate with first responder teams.
When winter comes, people often try to prepare themselves for the cold weather, snow, and any potential emergencies that can go along with bad weather.
I am sure everyone has heard the Girl Scout’s motto, “Be Prepared”. National disasters such as flood, fire, earthquake tornadoes and even windstorms affect thousands of people every year. In these instances, you must be able to be prepared beforehand so you can protect yourself, your family, and community.
As I was thinking about my own resolution and reading information about ways to promote wellness, I was reminded again about how inaccessible wellness can be for people with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities.
New Year’s Resolutions. What good are they unless you take action and actually do something about them? One of the hottest topics in the news this last year has been bullying.
