Last month the CDC released a new statistic for Autism Spectrum Disorder.  It has gone from 1 in 68 children in the United States to 1 in 59.  These numbers cannot be ignored, and families must continue to arm themselves with as much knowledge to equip them for the battle that lies ahead.

The wonderful news is that there is hope.  In the midst of all the negative reports about these growing numbers, people are learning the importance of being proactive with their children. With that being said, I have added some additional books and websites for families to turn to for guidance and support in my resource section of the blog.

I urge families to take action in any way they can to help those affected by the disorder. We cannot be silent when it comes to the children and adults that need our support. Small steps lead to bigger changes and one move in the right direction can make all the difference.

For those who are just starting out on this journey, please look at resources such as TACA, Autism Research Institute and Autism Hope Alliance to name a few for assistance in moving forward. These organizations can give you a jump start in finding mentors, therapists and practitioners to help newly diagnosed children.

Families that have been on the journey for awhile who need encouragement, please remember that webinars, conferences and local groups are essential for inspiration and support.

Also, family members and those in the community who assist parents and caregivers, it’s important for you to get as much knowledge about the disorder, so you’re also equipped to assist those on the frontlines of this battle.

We must continue to have hope and take action at the same time in order for our children to win this fight! I applaud all of the people who have been working hard on this journey. As the numbers grow, let’s stay armed and ready with as much knowledge as we can, so that our children can have a real chance for a productive quality of life.