Autism is becoming more and more prevalent. One in every 88 children is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum disorder. Children with Autism face challenges at school and in social situations. Raising a child with Autism presents a challenge to the parents. How do the parents cope? This is what I will explore in my final feature story. I have done research on the Autism Society website, on Autism Speaks, and on a couple medical websites:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/faq
http://www.autism-society.org/about-autism/facts-and-statistics.html
http://www.autism-society.org/about-autism/aspergers-syndrome/
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/detail_asperger.htm
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asd.cfm
I recently interviewed Lisa Quinones-Fontanez, whose son, Norrin, was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum disorder in 2008. I will also interview Margo Albright and her husband. Their son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a form of Autism. Finally, I will interview Dr. Kathryn Potoczak, a professor at Shippensburg University who specializes in children with special needs.
My story will also feature a glimpse of a recent event, Logan’s Run and Walk for Autism, which raised money for Autism awareness and provided a look at how Autistic children interact with families and with the outside world.
