(Newswire.net — April 7, 2014) — New York, NY — The CEC (Council for Exceptional Children) partnered with the Autism Initiative Committee to sponsor the 2nd annual Light It Up Blue event at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia PA.
Dr Teri Rouse, the faculty advisor for CEC, worked with Kristin Tracy and Dr Rosemarie Manfriedi to bring Philadelphia area autism experts Jean Ruttenberg, Executive Director at The Center for Autism and Christina Carty, Director of Programs & Services of Pennsylvania at Autism Speaks to the event to address students and faculty.
Seven vendors also participated by providing information and support for individuals with autism and other challenges living in the Philadelphia area.
April is Light it up blue! Autism Awareness Month. This is an international event marks World Autism Awareness Day, which was recognized by countries around the world.
Many of our national landmarks were lit up with blue lights this year from NY to Washington State, such as the Empire State Building and many Major League Baseball stadiums.
The organization that began Light it up Blue is Autism Speaks. Founded in 2005, Autism Speaks has donated more than $173 million to research and resource development for people with autism. Their event is a highlight to Autism Awareness Month, which was first recognized in the 1970s by the Autism Society. Their trademark symbol for autism awareness is their blue puzzle piece.
Autism is a developmental disability that can potentially have multiple symptoms and varying degrees to which it affects people. Having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is fairly common and there are several types, such as Asperger’s and Rett’s syndromes. Autism spectrum disorders affect about 1 in 68 children born in the United States. Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.
Children with autism do not follow the typical patterns of child development.
Autism is a disorder characterized by significant problems in communication and social functioning. Children with autism typically have visual ways of communicating and learning.
Signs of autism often appear early in development when there are obvious delays in language skills and social interactions.
Symptoms include problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and social difficulties.
Children with autism often respond well to highly structured education programs.
Dr Teri Rouse is working to help develop programs that will assist the next generation of teachers to be better equiped to assist children with autism and other disabilities in the more inclusive classrooms that are developing across the nation.
She can be contacted through her web site at: http://drterirouse.com/