National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM)

April is National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM)—an awareness initiative established in 1972 by the Autism Society of America (ASA).

[ Learn more about NAAM on the Autism Society of America website ]

NAAM News

Save the Date: Sixth Annual Walk for Autism 5K

Show your support! Autism merchandise and resource information will be available. Door Prizes, food and beverages, and an auction. Register on site the day of the walk beginning at 10:00 a.m. Guest speakers will begin their speeches at 10:45 a.m. followed by the walk at 11:00 a.m complete with door prizes. The auction will begin at noon.

When: Saturday, April 19th at 10:00 am
Cost: Registration fee is $5.00 (waived if participant has sponsors)
Where: Gallipolis City Park- Gallipolis, Ohio
For more information:(including how to obtain walk brochures) H.O.P.E. Intervention 740-645-3160, 740-742-3405, or 740-388-0191

Save the Date - Come join the Autism Society of Northwest for an afternoon of fun at the Mud Hens game.

We are reserving a section of seats at Fifth Third Field behind the Mud Hen’s dugout for our families to sit together and enjoy the game. It will be Dora the Explorer Day so kids can meet-n-greet Dora the Explorer. Kids can get autographs from featured Mud Hens players before the game starts and after the game kids can run the bases.

Admission: Tickets must be purchased in advance from the Autism Society for $8 per ticket (a one dollar discount per ticket.) There will be a limited number of seats for families with peanut allergies. Call the office for more information.
When: Sunday, April 27 - Game starts at 1 PM
Where: Fifth Third Field 406 Washington Toledo, OH
To purchase tickets: Call the office to arrange a time or buy them on our website www.asno.org . PLEASE purchase your tickets NO LATER THAN April 25.
EXTRA: For every ticket you purchase, your loved one with autism will have a chance to win the opportunity to throw out the first pitch of the game.

Save the Date: Tri-County Autism Society Night of Bowling

When: Saturday- April 19, 2008 - 6:00 P.M.
Where: Camelot Lanes 628 Boardman-Canfield Rd, Boardman, OH 44420
Pizza will be provided
Please RSVP to Dan Gallagher at 330-720-2066
Email: triautism@aol.com Or Frank Aiello 330-799-7523 if you plan on attending

Murray Ridge School Autism Event

Join us for information and fun! On April 29, 2008, Murray Ridge School is offering 1/2 hour mini session topics on: Tour of Facility, What is Autism, Sensory Strategies, Schedules, Ziggurat Model, TEACCH/Red-Green Choices, ABA Approaches, Social Skills Training, etc. Certificates of attendance will be available. Sessions begin at 4:00pm and run through 5:30pm. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Murray Ridge School is located at 9750 S. Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, Ohio, 44035. To register, please call (440) 329-3760.

Run for Autism Cleveland

Running feels Sooo good! Why not run for a cause. The RUN FOR AUTISM is OAR’s signature fund raising effort. OAR would like to invite you and your friends to "SIGN UP NOW" for this year’s Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon or 10K scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 18, 2008. When you become part of the 1st RUN FOR AUTISM - Cleveland Team, you are choosing to be part of a special group of dedicated individuals taking on a personal fitness challenge and raising funds for autism research. OAR is a national non-profit organization formed and led by relatives of children and adults with autism and Asperger Syndrome. OAR is dedicated to promoting research that can be applied to help families, educators, caregivers, and individuals with autism find much-needed answers to their immediate and urgent questions. Rite Aid Marathon Sunday, May 18, 2008. Visit http://www.researchautism.org for more information.

UN World Autism Awareness Day - April 2, 2008

The Secretary-General of the United Nations has announced the first commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day. In his message, the Secretary-General states: "On this day, the United Nations reaffirms its commitment to the rights and well-being of people with disabilities - a commitment rooted in our fundamental principle of universal human rights for all... Let us pay tribute to the courage of children with autism and their families, as they strive every day to confront the disability with a powerful combination of determination, creativity and hope. Let us empower them and respond to their needs today, so as to make our societies more accessible, enabling and empowering for all our children tomorrow."

The Autism Awareness Rally is Coming!

Save the Date! The 2008 Autism Awareness Rally is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2 from 11:00am to 12:30pm on the south lawn of the Ohio Statehouse. Ohio individuals with autism, activists, families, and state legislators are encouraged to attend the fifth annual statewide Autism Awareness Rally. The rally is co-sponsored by the Autism Society of America- Central Ohio Chapter, Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of Ohio.

Chili Cook-off to Benefit Greater Cleveland Families Living with Autism

Save the Date! The Greater Cleveland Chili Cook-off for Autism to benefit the Autism Society of Greater Cleveland will be located at the Terrace Club of Progressive Field on Tuesday, April 8, 2008. The fun starts at 6:00pm and runs through 9:00pm. Admission is $20.00. The proceeds from the event will provide vital support to families of the Cleveland area that are affected by autism every day. For more information, visit www.asgc.org

"Rock 'Til It Stops" Benefit Show

Save the Date! Autism Speaks will host a special one-night-only benefit concert, featuring performances by Stephen Stills and Michael Stanley, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, April 12, 2008. Come join the Cleveland community to raise awareness about autism and funds to support Autism Speaks’ local and national research, education, and outreach initiatives through an evening of food, music and fun! Ticket prices start at $150.00 and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, visit www.autismspeaks.org

"Rock for Autism" Benefit

Save the Date! Southeastern Ohio Chapter- Autism Society of America is hosting its first benefit event. "Rock for Autism" will feature local, legendary rock band, The Wing Nuts and NSK- The OU jazz band. There will be a silent auction, appetizers, beverages, door prizes, and lots of good fun! The benefit will be Friday, April 18, 2008 from 7:00pm until 12:00am at the Ohio University Baker Center Ballroom. Tickets are $15.00 each. For more information, contact rock@autismseohio.org

Walk for Autism

Save the Date! Dayton Autism Society is sponsoring their First Annual Walk for Autism 5K at Payne Recreation Center, 3800 Main Street, Moraine, OH 45439. Registration to walk is $10.00 through March 14, 2008. After March 14, 2008 registration is $15.00. All registered walkers receive a Free T-shirt. Vendors of autism-related items can rent a booth for $30.00. For more information, visit www.daytonautismsociety.org

First Annual Wrestle Against Autism

The First Annual Wrestle Against Autism will be held at the Ohio State University. For more details, visit one of the following websites: www.mrwoa.com or www.thebuckeyewrestlingclub.com

Autism Speaks "Walk Now on the Web"

Throughout World Autism Awareness Day - and during the month of April- people from around the world will take part in the Autism Speaks "Walk Now on the Web." Modeled after Autism Speaks’ successful Walk Now for Autism fundraising events and sponsored by Toys "R" Us, the "virtual walk" will enable anyone with Internet access to join together to build community, learn more about autism and raise funds for programs and research. Toys "R" Us serves as national sponsor of more than 75 Walk Now for Autism events across the United States.

Rock the Puzzle

Save the Date! One of Cleveland’s hottest parties is back! The evening will consist of 6 bands and the unveiling of two new wines for autism from Grand River Cellars. Rock the Puzzle will take place at the House of Blues Cleveland on Saturday, April 26, 2008. Tickets are $100.00 each. Tickets include all entertainment, heavy hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets and two wine tasking tickets. All proceeds from 2008’s Rock the Puzzle will stay local to the Northeast Ohio area to help those affected by autism in our own communities through Northeast Ohio Autism Group.

Walk Now for Autism Cincinnati 2008

Save the Date! Join thousands united for a single cause on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Cincinnati Zoo, Safari Camp Parking Lot by joining Walk Now for Autism. Walk Now for Autism offers everyone a fun-filled experience with entertainment, refreshments, an autism community resource fair, and much, much more.

Out Run Autism

Save the Date! Out Run Autism proudly announces its 5th Annual 5k and 1 mile “Fun Run” at Homestead Park, which is located at 4675 Cosgray Rd. Hilliard, OH 43026. Packet pick-up and race day registration will be held on race day (April 19, 2008) at 9:00am. The 5k walk and run will begin at 10:00am. T-shirts are guaranteed for everyone registering by April 12, 2008. Register on-line at www.premierraces.com. All profits benefit charitable causes for autism such as Central Ohio Families for Effective Autism Treatment, COFEAT.

Build-A-Bear Supports Autism

Throughout the month of April, Build-A-Bear will sell its special edition Nikki III bear in its more than 200 stores across the United States and Canada, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks. The special purple bear will wear an Autism Speaks ribbon, which will be placed on the bears after they are purchased. Additionally, the sale of purple satin hearts ($1.00) will also benefit Autism Speaks during the month.

TJ Maxx Supports Autism

Beginning April 9, 2008 at 800 TJ Maxx stores nationwide, customers will be invited to purchase an Autism Speaks puzzle piece at checkout for a donation of $1.00. No purchase is necessary. All proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks and TJ Maxx will also host an online auction of celebrity-decorated and autographed wooden puzzles. Those interested in bidding can visit www.tjmaxx.com/autismspeaks from April 24, 2008 to May 3, 2008. All proceeds from the auction will also go to Autism Speaks.

Walk Now for Autism

Save the Date! Experience the power of thousands of people united to Walk Now for Autism on September 28, 2008 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Sponsored by Toys R Us, Walk Now for Autism provides a fun-filled experience with entertainment, refreshments, an autism community resource fair, and much, much more. Register on-line at www.walknowforautism.org.