Fort Belvoir, Va. (March 27, 2014) - Are you aware that Centers for Disease Control reports one in 88 children will be diagnosed with autism (one in 50 boys)?
If not, perhaps you, and others in our community, also are unaware of other facts about autism. April is Autism Awareness Month. A primary reason Autism Awareness Month is necessary is to inform the community at large about how autism affects individuals, families and their communities. It's also an opportunity for individuals and organizations to show support for and acceptance of those directly affected by an autism spectrum disorder.
Fort Belvoir, Va. (March 27, 2014) - Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program is committed to putting Fort Belvoir on the Autism Awareness map this April. We've planned a full calendar of activities and we're hoping retailers, agencies, service providers, residents, and other individuals will be excited to partner with us in making April 2014 a banner month for Autism Awareness.
Simple ways any person or organization can show support include:
Light it up blue
"Light it up blue" by replacing one or more outdoor or window lights with a blue bulb and keep it lit throughout April. Blue is the color of Autism Awareness Month. Every year Autism Speaks spearheads the campaign to "Light it up blue." This is a display of acceptance and solidarity that helps raise awareness.
Talk about it
Talk about it -- speak up for autism. Write a comment at www.facebook.com/FortBelvoirEFMP; encourage others to get involved with AAM; frequent Fort Belvoir retailers, agencies and service providers who are partnering with ACS EFMP in recognition of Autism Awareness Month.
Participate
Show up for and participate in Autism Awareness Month events co-sponsored by ACS EFMP. Find out what's coming up by reading the Belvoir Eagle, checking in at www.facebook.com/FortBelvoirEFMP or calling the ACS EFMP offices.
These are just a few of the events that the Exceptional Family Member Program is hosting:
- Autism Awareness Resource Fair (open to the public), April 4, at the ACS Building, Bldg. 200
- Autism Workshop (MayInstitute), April 9, 10 a.m.-noon, at ACS
- Sensory Movie, April 16, 6 p.m., at Wood Theater
- Bowling for Autism, April 26, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Bowling Center
- Special Care Organizational Record Notebook Training Class, 10 a.m.-noon, at ACS
Participation in these events require local ACS EFMP enrollment and reservations; with the exception of the Resource Fair. To find out more about these events, call the EFMP offices at (703) 805-5435, 805-2967 or 805-3126.
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