Print
Category: Local News Releases Local News Releases
Published: 07 April 2018 07 April 2018

Silver City, NM – The School of Social Work at Western New Mexico University will launch several awareness activities to commemorate National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM) the first week of April 2018!

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disability that typically appears during the first two years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" meaning that it affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.

This April, the Silver City Autism Awareness Group is collaborating with Western New Mexico University and the W.N.M.U. School of Social Work to focus on raising awareness through education and fostering a supportive and inclusive community for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their loved ones.

There are several ways you can get involved in the month's activities and learn more about what it means to live with ASD. Here are a few:

The Silver City Autism Awareness Group and the W.N.M.U. School of Social Work will also provide content throughout the month on critical issues facing the autism community, specifically inclusion in employment and community living, as well as how communities can better address wandering in people with ASDs.

To learn more about the Silver City Autism Awareness Walk and other events planned for W.N.M.U.'s Autism Awareness Week, please contact Amaris Fay at silvercityautismawareness@gmail.com

About National Autism Awareness Month: Established in the 1970s to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, April is a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. Autism affects 1 in 68 children born in America today; the need for services and supports is greater than ever.