New Data Reports One in 88 Children in the US has been Identified with Autism

A new CDC study reports one in 88 children in the US has been identified with autism.

A new CDC study reports one in 88 children in the US has been identified with autism.

According to the Centers for Disease Control:

“CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities has been tracking ASDs for over a decade through theAutism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. The newest estimates from the ADDM Network are based on data collected in 14 areas of the United States during 2008. These 14 communities comprised over eight percent of the United States population of 8-year-olds in 2008. Information was collected on children who were 8 years old because previous work has shown that, by this age, most children with ASDs have been identified for services.”

Read more about the data on the CDC’s website.

The Autism NOW Center is a federally funded project of The Arc, and many collaborative partners. We’ll always aims to help people searching the web separate fact from fiction when it comes to autism.

Latest March Webinar Announced

We just added the latest webinar to our schedule, slated for next week.

We just added the latest webinar to our schedule, slated for next week. Join us for a webinar on Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism: A Very Necessary Book.

We also added the latest webinars to our Webinar Archive. You can view any webinar on-demand for FREE. Also, remember we hold one free webinar every week. Check our full schedule, or visit our Events section for more information.

New Local Agencies Directory and Map, Plus a Mobile Optimized Site

We just rolled out two exciting new features on the site recently – a mobile version and a local agencies directory in the form of a map.

Local Agencies Screenshot
A screenshot of the new Local Agencies Directory and Map

In 2011, with the help of many partners, we launched the Autism NOW Center – the National Autism Resource and Information Center – to help people searching the web separate fact from fiction when it comes to autism.

Led by The Arc and funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, 2011 was a busy year for the Autism NOW Center.  With five regional summits, dozens of webinars, and the creation of a top-notch informational website with input from partners in the disability field, we went into 2012 with exciting ideas to expand upon that important work.  While www.autismnow.org is becoming a go-to resource for families, individuals with autism, and experts in the field, we’re still working hard on adding new features and content!

We just rolled out two exciting new features on the site recently – a mobile version, allowing users on mobile devices like smart phones and tablets to see an optimized version of the site, and a local agencies directory in the form of a map. This mobile version lets users get to content faster on the go, and creates better accessibility overall for the site. The local agencies directory provides an easy-to-use way to find agencies in your state that can help with services, support and resources for living with autism and other developmental disabilities.

To view the mobile version, simply visit the site (www.autismnow.org) on a smart phone or tablet – like an iPhone or iPad. To view the Local Agencies Directory, visit www.autismnow.org/map. And keep in mind, we plan on adding more agencies to the directory. If you have a suggestion or correction, simply use the form on the page to let us know.

The new features of the site are only the beginning in what will be a busy year for us. Other planned features include commenting on blog articles, a message board, an enhanced community calendar and new video content.

Did you know you can get involved with the Autism NOW Center right now? Learn how at www.autismnow.org/participate.

New Webinars Added to the Archive

We just added the two most recent webinars, held in the past two weeks, to the webinar archive.

We just added the two most recent webinars, held in the past two weeks, to the webinar archive. This includes one of our most-attended webinars yet – Converting Sheltered Workshops to Employment Programs That Get People Real Jobs! Be sure to check both webinars out.

Also, remember we hold one free webinar every week. Check our full schedule, or visit our Events section for more information.

Webinar Archive Updated with Last Week’s Webinars

We just added the two most recent webinars, held last week, to the webinar archive.

We just added the two most recent webinars, held last week, to the webinar archive. Both of these newly added webinars focus on emergency preparedness, a hot topic in the autism and developmental disability community. Be sure to check the webinars out.

Also, remember we hold one free webinar every week. Check our full schedule, or visit our Events section for more information.

More January Webinars Added

We released more new webinars for January this week.

We released more new webinars for January this week. You can view all of the upcoming webinars on the schedule page or visit our events calendar to view each one individually.

The month’s new topics include the role of the press in the disability rights movement, the role of an advisor in a self-advocacy organization and autism-friendly companies and employment opportunities. And remember, you can always suggest a topic for a webinar by visiting our submit a resource form and selecting “An idea for a webinar topic.”

January Webinar Schedule Released

We released the new webinar schedule for January this week. You can view all of the upcoming webinars on the schedule page or visit our events calendar to view each one individually.

This month’s topics include emergency preparedness and tips for first responders. And remember, you can always suggest a topic for a webinar by visiting our submit a resource form and selecting “An idea for a webinar topic.”

December Webinar Schedule Released

We released the new webinar schedule for December yesterday.

We released the new webinar schedule for December yesterday. You can view all of the upcoming webinars on the schedule page or visit our events calendar to view each one individually.

This month’s topics include autism and women, siblings and presenting at national conferences (geared toward self-advocates). And remember, you can always give suggest a topic for a webinar by visiting our submit a resource form and selecting “An idea for a webinar topic.”

Participate! Be a Part of the Autism NOW Center

Part of the Autism NOW Center’s mission, embedded in staff from the beginning – be a “dynamic and interactive” resource.

Part of the Autism NOW Center’s mission, embedded in staff from the beginning – be a “dynamic and interactive” resource. We’re working on many new features for the site that we’ll launch soon, and help us toward that goal. But you don’t have to wait to participate in what the center does every day.

Head over to our Participate section to find out how to get involved. Two of the newest ways include:

  • Help Spread the Word about the Autism NOW Center: Organizations and bloggers can take advantage of this toolkit with basic information and promotional material about the center. The downloads are free.
  • Contribute to our Blog: Speaking of bloggers, if you have something good information, resources and/or ideas to share with our audience, you can write a guest post for our blog. Check out these blog guidelines for details.
How else can we accomplish our mission of being a dynamic and interactive resource? Let us know by sending us ideas.

ASAN Helps Current and Future College Students Navigate Student Life

The Autism NOW Center is proud to highlight “Navigating College: A Handbook on Self-Advocacy Written for Autistic Students from Autistic Adults.”

The Autism NOW Center is proud to highlight “Navigating College: A Handbook on Self-Advocacy Written for Autistic Students from Autistic Adults.” Written by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network and funded by the Autism NOW Center, this handbook offers tips and suggestions about several different issues that people with autism and other developmental disabilities may encounter in college. Topics include accommodations, living in the dorm, independent living, health and wellness, safety, talking to professors, discussing disability issues with others, disclosure, and participating in clubs and other social activities. Check out this guide online.