April is Autism Awareness Month, with April 2 serving as World Autism Awareness Day. It’s a time to bring awareness and to inspire advocacy for the 1 in 37 children in the U.S. diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Hope Center for Autism is a 501c3 non-profit in Fort Worth that provides one-on-one Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy to children on the autism spectrum. It was founded by Susan and Glenn Wood and a group of concerned parents in 2007. Susan describes autism awareness month as a time to “change the way we view autism, the way we treat people with autism, the support we give parents, the way schools teach children with autism, and how we promote autism awareness.”
The best way to observe this month is to learn from the stories of those who are impacted by autism. Autism spokesperson, Temple Grandin, will keynote the Hope Center’s annual fundraiser, Saddle Up for Autism. Dr. Grandin, who has autism, is an inspiration for any person or family dealing with the effects of this complex disability. She is a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior. She is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University and a consultant for both livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare.
Dubbed “The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow” in a BBC special about her life, Dr. Grandin’s story is one of a woman that bet on herself and used her uniqueness to thrive. You can hear her incredible story by attending the Saddle Up for Autism fundraiser event on April 18, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Cendera Center in Fort Worth. Tickets and sponsorships are still available and can be purchased here. All proceeds benefit the Hope Center and their mission to enable children on the autism spectrum and their families to live fuller, more functional lives.
To learn more you can also attend the Rally in the Fort, a free family-friendly event on Sunday, April 8 at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Coyote Drive-in, 223 NE 4th St, Fort Worth, 76164. If you’d like to be a part of the Flash Mob planned for April 8, check out the Facebook event page.
This month you may notice the Autism Awareness Ribbon. This ribbon has a puzzle pattern that reflects the complexity of the autism spectrum. The many colors and shapes of the puzzle pieces symbolize the diversity of the people and families living with autism. The official color for National Autism Awareness Month is bright royal blue. Blogger Kerry Magro wrote on autismspeaks.org that “when we wear blue, it’s not only about keeping that conversation going about autism but, it’s also making sure that those with autism and their families don’t feel alone.”