For the third consecutive year, on Tuesday, April 2, Danbury will join the Autism Awareness Movement as families of loved ones in the spectrum, community agencies, activists, the City of Danbury, Danbury Public Library, and David Parks - owner of Spin Doctor Entertainment, will come together to light up our public library blue for Autism, and host awareness focused events for all ages throughout the day.
Schedule of events will be as follows:
4:00 PM - Story hour with "Celebrity Reader" Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour - a reading of " I Will Light It Up Blue" by Kerry Magro, an award-winning national speaker and best-selling author who has become a role model in the disabled community. Non-verbal at 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4, Kerry has overcome countless obstacles to get to where he is today. (Recommend for all ages) Register at www.danburylibrary.org
5:00 PM – Screening of Deej – A film about a non-speaking young man who dreams of autistic civil rights. The documentary film Deej, with its insider view of autism, challenges us all to live inclusion. Followed by a panel discussion presented in partnership with WeCAHR (Recommend for ages 15, up, educators, service providers, and parents of special needs children) Register at ww.danburylibrary.org
6:30 PM - Light Up Blue Ceremony - A sensory-friendly ceremony featuring speakers, musical performances and a “light up” moment that the library lit up blue honor of world autism awareness day. Please note that a lower sound level will be used at the ceremony, attendees with special needs are free to vocalize and walk around, and there will be designated quiet area and ear muffs available. (Recommend for all ages)
“Autism directly affects 1 in 68 children including 1 in 42 boys. My 6-year-old son, is one of them. We started our journey down the autism road with early intervention. He was diagnosed at age 2 and has received autism intervention services since and made incredible gains in some areas. That is why raising Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness is so important. Encouraging early detection and intervention, acceptance and understanding can in the long run improve the quality of life of all individuals in the spectrum, no matter what age,” said Emanuela Palmares organizer of the event.
The event traditionally held at City Hall, will be hosted at the Danbury Public Library with the intention to highlight a community campaign to raise funds for Friends of the Danbury Library Inc, to furnish a new sensory room, that will be created within the library's children's department on the second floor, with certain objects and activities designed to stimulate children with special needs. The room will be the first of its kind in a library in Connecticut. Donations can be made via: https://www.gofundme.com/help-us-furnish-danbur-library039-s-sensory-room
AUTISM FACTS:
Autism directly affects 1 in 68 children including 1 in 42 boys. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Parents who have a child with ASD have a 2%–18% chance of having a second child who is also affected.
- Almost half (44%) of children identified with ASD has average to above average intellectual ability. [Read article]
- A small percentage of children who are born prematurely or with low birth weight are at greater risk for having ASD.
- Even though ASD can be diagnosed as early as age 2 years, most children are not diagnosed with ASD until after age 4 years.
- Studies have shown that parents of children with ASD notice a developmental problem before their child’s first birthday. Concerns about vision and hearing were more often reported in the first year, and differences in social, communication, and fine motor skills were evident from 6 months of age.
- In addition to medical costs, intensive behavioral interventions for children with ASD cost $40,000 to $60,000 per child per year.