By Amy Batista, Special Writer
MONROE — April was recognized across the United States as National Autism Month and served as an opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and the issues within the autism community.
Resident Kimberley Toto decided to go bigger this year and promoted more awareness during World Autism Awareness Day April 2, and not only included the schools but made it a community wide event and asked the two local communities to “light it up blue.”
This marked her third year promoting this campaign through Autism Speaks, where prominent buildings across North America turned their lights blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.
The Empire State Building in New York City did the same thing to promote awareness for the condition.
Inspired by this, Ms. Toto used spotlights and blue Christmas lights on her home in April.
”Having a daughter with autism, I wanted to promote awareness and tolerance in the schools and community,” Ms. Toto said. “Last year I went to the schools to see if they could wear blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) and they did.”
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors, according to the Autism Speaks website, www.autismspeaks.org.
”When my daughter was diagnosed it was 1 in 150. In the last several years the numbers increased to 1 in 110,” Ms. Toto said. “Right before the month of April 2012, the Centers for Disease Control came out with new numbers. It is now 1 in 88 kids that are affected with some form of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).”
Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 88 American children as on the autism spectrum–a 10-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years, according to the organization. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness.
Studies also show that autism is three to four times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States, according to the Autism Speaks website.
By way of comparison, this is more children than are affected by diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or Down syndrome, combined, according to the organization.
ASD affects more than 2 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide, according to the Autism Speaks website.
Ms. Toto asked Mayor Pucci to approve the “light it up blue” plan and he did, Ms. Toto said. The group also received a proclamation for WAAD at the April 2 Township Council meeting.
”It is important as a community that we do whatever we can to provide every person with autism the necessary support that will lead them to self-sufficiency and realization of their dreams,” said Mayor Pucci. “Proclaiming World Autism Day in Monroe and displaying blue ribbons during April is one of the ways to show that support.”
Not only did Ms. Toto reach out to the community, but in return, the community supported Ms. Toto in her goal of raising awareness and “helped” with the blue ribbon campaign.
”I reached out to Jamesburg, The Learning Academy, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation castle (and) they actually turned their lights blue,” Ms. Toto said. “Monroe Self Storage on Perrineville Road posted it on their electronic sign. The Sweet William and Tyme (florist in Jamesburg) helped out with the blue ribbon.”
Family and friends also came out to help tie around the trees and various objects to promote awareness.
”It was wonderful that Kimberley and her family took the initiative and organized the blue ribbon campaign – a great way to increase autism awareness in our community,” said Sherri Boyd of Monroe.
”Kimberley Toto took a tremendous task of getting the Township of Monroe, the surrounding communities, and the schools to approve on such a note worthy cause as autism,” said Charlotte Klecan of Monroe. “Seeing blue ribbons in conspicuous locations did have people ask about them, so the goal was accomplished. Our society must realize that autism is also a part of our society and those afflicted with it must be shown the same respect and understanding of those who are fortunate not to deal with this developmental disorder.”
According to the Autism Society website, In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s.
