Autism Awareness Day spotlights discrimination

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(CBS News) Today, April 2nd, is World Autism Awareness Day. The United Nations recognizes today to spread awareness on the developmental disability that affects tens of millions of people worldwide and according to the Secretary-General, to put an end to the discrimination many people with an autism spectrum disorder face daily.

Complete Coverage: Latest Developments on Autism

"Autism is not limited to a single region or a country; it is a worldwide challenge that requires global action," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a written statement.

The resolution to declare every April 2nd World Autism Awareness Day was adopted by the U.N. in 2007, and as Secretary-General Ki-moon noted, although the disorder starts in childhood, it persists throughout a person's life.

The Secretary-General said globally, there needs to be greater political commitment and investments in social, education, and labor sectors to address the "unique needs of people with autism and cultivate their talents."

Ki-moon called on the international community to cooperate and share its good practices to promote more research, better train care providers, and help support the autism community.

He also said the U.N. recognizes this Awareness Day to "spur such action and draw attention to the unacceptable discrimination, abuse and isolation experienced by people with autism and their loved ones."

A recent survey of U.S. children found 63 percent of parents responded that their child with autism had been bullied, CBS News reported. Children with Asperger's were bullied most among responders.

A recent CDC report estimated one in 88 children has autism, a 23 percent increase since the last report in 2009, and a 78 percent increase since the CDC's first report in 2007.

For World Autism Awareness Day, the U.N. will release six commemorative postage stamps and two collectible envelopes with images created by artists diagnosed with autism that were provided by advocacy organization Autism Speaks.

"Let us all continue to join hands to enable people with autism and other neurological differences to realize their potential and enjoy the opportunities and well-being that are their birthright," the Secretary-General said.

Join CBSNews.com for its complete coverage of World Autism Awareness Day, and find out all the latest developments in autism research.

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[kleighc2001]

Autism doesn't threaten our future, ignorance does. I don't think that the stats CBS issues were incorrect, in fact, about 50 million people have autism worldwide. http://www.uoguelph.ca/oaar/how_many_people.shtml (other stats available)
The number will increase because diagnosising individuals is becoming better, allowing for early intervention, and assisting individuals in leading productive lives.
I am not interested in why my child has autism. Much as if my child had cancer, finding out why means nothing, she still has cancer. I would be worried about what I can do to make it better. One in 88 children will be looking for jobs, college educations, driver's licenses, and partners in 15 years. Then what?
I was lucky enough to have my girls diagnosed at age two and three. This has been a life changing diagnosis for us. I have done everything I can to better their lives and the lives of other individuals in the same position. Instead of placing blame, making excuses, looking for something that isn't there, we need to start looking to what is there- the people standing around with autism AND their families. www.puzzlepieceprincess.com

[maurine9]

Au contraire, to believe that 1 in 54 boys with autism in 2008(now much higher) is due to better diagnosing is simply the continued excuse layed out by the gov't health officials, doctors, politicians, drug companies because they will not admit they are wrong. Ity would destroy their credibility, their power and their money bsse. We want to end the epidemic NOW. To say it doesn't matter "why" is just one person's opinion-yours. We believe in finding the truth. It matters to save more lives.
Maurine Meleck SC

[amdachel]

One has to wonder why the only response from the UN to this global health care emergency is to call for an end to discrimination. There is no attempt made here to explain why we have an epidemic increase in autism. There's nothing said about the possibility that that the numbers might continue to increase.

Autism seems to have paralyzed us. No one has any answers and nothing is being done to STOP THE EPIDEMIC OF AUTISM.

CBS News incorrectly told us here that "tens of millions of people worldwide" have autism. In truth, when we talk about autism, we're always talking about CHILDREN WITH AUTISM. No one has ever shown us a rate even remotely comparable among adults, especially adults with classic autism whose symptoms are undeniable.

In 2004, the autism rate reached one in 166 children after years of steadily worsening numbers.

In 2007, the rate became one in 150 children.

In 2009, it reached one in 110.

Now in 2012, it's one in 88.

(Keep in mind that for each of these statistics, the rate for boys alone is four times as bad.)

Each and every increase has been attributed to better diagnosing. Something worldwide is happening to our children and it threatens our future. It's time to honestly and thoroughly look for answers.

Anne Dachel, Media editor: Age of Autism http://www.ageofautism.com/

[ClariNerd_HzgsUto5zc]

Excuse me?
How is Autism a threat?

All autism is is a difference, nothing more.

The major problem with autism isn't with the people who have it, but with how society treats those who have it. I have autism. I do not need a cure.

Autism cannot be cured, but bigotry can.