Initiative encourages autism awareness; 1:88 educate, advocate, elevate

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.16.2012

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Sarah Harrell

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - According to the TRICARE operations manual, Chapter 20, Section 10, “Among the more than 1.2 million children of active-duty military personnel, approximately 8,500 carry one of the ASD diagnoses.”

Within the military community, it is estimated that there are at least 13,243 children and young adults diagnosed with ASD, or an average of 1 in every 88 people. With numbers like that, it is likely you will meet a military family affected by autism at some point in your lifetime.

In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about the disability, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s.

The U.S. recognizes April as a special opportunity to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.
Okinawa will be among many other areas and countries focusing on autism awareness during April. Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, will be signing the “1:88 Autism Awareness” proclamation April 2. This proclamation, named for the average ratio of people diagnosed with ASD in the military community, will help continue the efforts to spread education and awareness about autism here in Okinawa, Japan.
Join your Okinawa Exceptional Family Member Program team in supporting the “1:88 – Educate, Advocate, Elevate” initiative by getting involved with the EFMP community this April.

Whether you are part of a family “thriving with autism,” know of a family with autism, or are looking for more information, we have educational and informative workshops and events.
Grab your family and friends and join us April 7 for the EFMP Family Fun Day. You can also attend the EFMP Empower Hour Series: “Understanding Autism” April 12, when Dr. S. W. Stuart, developmental pediatrician with educational and developmental intervention services, and autism behavioral specialists with Department of Defense Dependent Schools will empower the community with knowledge pertaining to autism.

Show your support and join us April 14 for the “1:88 Family Fun Run/Walk!” We will end the month with an “EFMP Family Fun Bowling” event April 27.

For more information about autism or any of these events, call 645-9237, visit www.mccsokinawa.com/efmp or “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mccsokinawa.efmp.
Harrell is an EFMP training and outreach specialist.

• Date Taken: 03.16.2012
• Date Posted: 03.15.2012 19:19
• Story ID: 85316
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP