EDISON—Mayor Jun Choi has declared April as Autism Awareness Month in Edison.
“There are no real answers yet. There is no cure. But the hope is that by emphasizing awareness, answers will come,” Choi said.
According to the Autism Society of America, the disability affects 1.5 million Americans. Each year the number of autism cases grows by 10 to 17 percent. In the 1990s, the U.S. population grew by 13 percent, disabilities increased by 16 percent and autism skyrocketed by 172 percent.
Autism currently affects 1 in every 150 newborns, but here in New Jersey the impact is greater, affecting 1 in every 94 children in the state
Throughout the month EdisonTV – Public Access Channel 15 – will show programming devoted to autism awareness.
In December, The Edison Public Library received a $4,000 grant to design “Welcoming Library Spaces for the Autism Community and Their Families.” The programs from the Infolink regional library cooperative grant is continually being used to create programs that will provide information and services to help families dealing with autism.
On April 23, a free information session for parents of autistic children will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the North Edison Branch Library at 777 Grove Avenue. The presentation will focus on how the vestibular and auditory systems work together to enable individuals to master skills ranging from running and climbing to reading and writing, to speaking and socializing. At the same time, children with autism or autism spectrum disorders are encouraged to attend a special quilt-making session at the library.
