As advocates celebrated Autism Acceptance Month this April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its prevalence findings to show that among 8-year-olds in the United States, an estimated 1 in 31 has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Franklin County DD encourages the public to keep up the action on two fronts: Help promote autism acceptance by supporting efforts to build a more inclusive, safe and supportive community; and help fight misinformation and misunderstanding by learning the facts on diagnosis, interventions and successes.

Organizations such as the Autism Society of America say increased incidence is not an epidemic. It’s a reflection of improved screening and diagnosis, and a reason for investing in early, culturally responsive care so that people with autism are connected to the support they need to thrive.

Gahanna resident Zayne Harshaw, 29, was diagnosed with autism at age 4. Despite being told he’d never read or tie his shoes, he is now a successful blues guitarist and founder of the award-winning Blue Spectrum band.

“We have a band motto,” says his father, Gene, a Franklin County DD board member. “The motto is: life is not to be viewed through the single lens of a diagnosis, but to be lived through the spectrum of potential, promise and purpose. That’s our motto. So you don’t let the diagnosis dictate your life.”

To learn more about autism, visit: https://autismsociety.org or https://ocali.org/autism-center