The 7th Annual Autism Advocacy Day will be held on April 13th from 8:30 am-12 pm at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The event is open to the public and aims to raise awareness, advocate, and show support for Oklahomans with autism and their families.

This year’s theme is “To Infinity and Beyond.” It will feature a 40-organization resource fair at 8:30 am on the 2nd-floor rotunda, providing attendees with information about various resources available to support individuals with autism and their families.

“We are excited to co-host our Annual Autism Advocacy Day at the State Capitol again this year. It is an important opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families and to advocate for the resources needed to support them,” said Emily Scott, Executive Director of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma, one of the host organizations. This year’s co-hosting organizations include the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Autism Network, AutismOklahoma. org, Oklahoma Autism Center, The Arc of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Family Network, and Pervasive Parenting Center are also hosting the event.

Various speakers and a panel discussion will be held in Multipurpose Room 100 beginning at 9:30 am. Representative Ellyn Hefner will open the programming with words of encouragement, and Speaker of the House Charles McCall will share with families how important their relationship is with their legislators. Autism Speaks will be on hand to recognize various state leaders for their work on Oklahoma’s Waiting List, and the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma will recognize local autism champions in the community.

The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma’s mission is to improve the quality of life for Oklahomans with autism and their families. AFO’s programs provide education, advocacy, professional development, and individual and family support for Oklahoma’s autism community. To learn more, visit www. autismfoundationok.org.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States today.

Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and prob(See lem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

Several factors may influence the development of autism, and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues.

Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.