CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNIZES AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
Trenton – Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Commissioner Elizabeth Connolly today joined over 75 children in front of the New Jersey State House Annex to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by blowing ‘Bubbles 4 Autism’.
The event was held in concert with “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day,” so children of state-staff members of several state agencies joined their parents for this fun and educational event.
Spearheaded by Faces4Autism, a non-profit advocacy and support group based in southern New Jersey, the awareness campaign (www.facebook.com/FACESBubbles4autism) encourages schools, businesses and people nationally and internationally, to assemble in honor of the many families affected by autism in our state, our nation and worldwide.
“There are many state agencies that work in partnership to assist families affected by autism,” said DHS Acting Commissioner Connolly, whose department provides services to adults with autism and other intellectual or developmental disabilities. “Raising awareness is essential to our ability to recognize and diagnose autism in the early years of life, so that we can provide the necessary services that support individuals from infancy into adulthood.”
Last year, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report indicating that the estimated number of children with ASD has increased in New Jersey to 1 in 45 children; and nationwide to 1 in 68. The CDC report is available online at:
http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsautismdata/index.html.
The DHS’ Office on Autism serves as a centralized location to address issues associated with ASD. through its Navigating through the Maze resource guide, which helps identify various state programs and services for people with Autism.
For more information about New Jersey’s autism related state programs and services, please view the state’s “Navigating through the Maze” resource guide, available online at www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/home/ooa.html.
