What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the way a person perceives the world. There is difficulty with:

Communication

Social interaction

and may have

Repetitive behaviors or intense interests.

It is often said if you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.

For the next 60 seconds we want to give you an opportunity to see what it’s like to live with an autism spectrum disorder. This is one example of the many challenges that individuals on the autism spectrum may face.

Play the audio clip here.

Audio Clip

About Autism

• Autism affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys.

• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism.

• Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S.

• Autism costs the nation $137 billion per year.

• More children will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders than AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined.

• There is no medical detection or cure for autism.

Why Now?

There has been a 1,000% increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in the past 40 years.

Autism Speaks’ Mission

Autism Speaks mission is to help all of those affected by autism.

Autism Speaks four main objectives:

1. To raise awareness about autism.2. To fund research into the causes, better diagnoses and more

effective treatments for autism.3. To advocate for the needs of individuals with autism and their

families.4. To provide information and tools for parents and families with

children on the autism spectrum.

Science

Family Services

Advocacy

Awareness

Four Components of Autism Speaks

About Autism Speaks U

• An initiative of Autism Speaks that supports college students, faculty and alumni to:

• Host fundraising and awareness events

• Start Autism Speaks U chapters

• Volunteer in the local autism community

• Since its inaugural event at Penn State in 2006, Autism Speaks U has raised over $1 million and student-organized Walk teams have brought in millions more.

Autism Speaks U are Students Who...

• Have siblings on the spectrum.

• Want to pursue a career in the field (research, therapy, doctor, etc.).

• Volunteered at a school/camp for individuals with a disability.

• Participated in Autism Speaks events/Walk Now

for Autism Speaks.

• National philanthropy is Autism Speaks U.

• Want to make a difference.

We are extremely grateful for all of the support, hard work and commitment

from our volunteers.

YOU are Autism Speaks U!

Autism Speaks U Chapters

• Iowa State University

• Ithaca College• John Carroll

University• Loyola University -

Chicago• Marywood

University• Miami University of

Ohio• Northwestern

University• Ohio State

University• Penn State

University• Saint Joseph's

University• Stonehill College• SUNY Albany• SUNY New Paltz• SUNY Oswego• The College at

Brockport• Towson University• Tulane University• UNC Chapel Hill• UC Berkeley

• Appalachian State University

• Armstrong Atlantic State University

• Bloomsburg University• Boston College• Cal State Fullerton• Case Western Reserve

University• Cornell University• DePual University • Duke University• Elmhurst University• Elon University• Florida Gulf Coast

University• George Washington

University• Gettysburg College• Indiana State University• Indiana University

Bloomington• Indiana University -

Purdue University Fort Wayne

• UC Irvine • University of Connecticut • University of Guelph• University of Illinois at

Urbana - Champaign• University of Michigan• University of Michigan -

Dearborn• University of Missouri-

Columbia• University of San Francisco• University of South Florida• University of Southern

California• University of Texas at Austin• University of Toledo• University of Virginia• University of Wisconsin - La

Crosse• University of Wisconsin -

Whitewater• Virginia Tech• West Virginia University• Western Michigan University

Chapters as of 8/29/12

Benefits of Becoming a Chapter

• Marketing Materials

• Chapter banners, handouts, posters, and wristbands and pins provided for executive board members.

• Guidance and Support from Staff

• Help throughout the planning and execution of your events.

• Get ideas and advice on chapter initiatives from other student leaders through live Facebook chats.

• Media Coverage

• Featured article of your chapter on the official Autism Speaks blog.

• Coverage of events on Autism Speaks U Facebook page and website.

• Mention of your chapter in Autism Speaks U emails.

• Making a Difference

• You are taking the first step in making a difference and setting a great example for all future students on campus!

Event Ideas

• Benefit Concert

• Karaoke Competition

• Poker Tournament

• Restaurant Night/Week

• Bake Sale

• 50/50 Raffles

• Bar Night

• Wristband Fundraiser

• Walk/Run• Ice Cream Social• Date Auction • “Mile of Change”

Campaign• Bowl-A-Thon• Blue Pancake Breakfast• Powder Puff Football

Game• Puzzle Piece Campaign• Fashion Show• Hot Dog Eating Contest• Dance Marathon• Movie Night• Loose Change Campaign• Car Wash

Host a 5k Walk / 3k Run

Ways to Get Involved

Recruit Students at Involvement Fairs

Wear Blue

Bake Sale

Bingo/Raffle

Ways to Get Involved

Puzzle Piece Campaign

Team Sports Awareness Night

Awareness EventsThere are so many ways to get people involved on your campus and

to help spread awareness!

• Table on campus, pass out fact cards and promote your chapter.

• Host a movie night featuring a film about autism.

• Invite informational speakers to campus.

• Encourage students to wear blue.

• Put autism-fact signs across campus.

• Ask your sports teams to dedicate a game to Autism Speaks U by wearing blue jerseys and blue shoe laces!

• Create a buddy program with local kids on the autism spectrum.

Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd

April is Autism Awareness Month

Light It Up Blue

Shippensburg

University

Duke University

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

University of Connecticut

University of California - Riverside

University of Toronto

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Athens State University

Appalachian State University

Light It Up Blue

THANK YOU!

• Go out and have fun! We appreciate all of your help and support.

• Be creative! Don’t be afraid to take an idea and run with it. Your ideas are great and we want to help you make them a reality.

• Have questions or want to brainstorm ideas? Contact the Autism Speaks U national office at sarah.caminker@autismspeaks.org or at 646-843-5240.