5 Ways to Raise Autism Awareness

One in 110 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism, a neurobiological disorder that hinders a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships. With its prevalence increasing 600 percent in the past two decades, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis.

This crisis has no known cause and cure, but Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism science and advocacy organization, is working toward finding answers. It is funding research, helping to educate the public, and advocating for those affected by autism.

Though Autism Speaks has made great strides in the past few years, it still has many more to take, and the organization needs support to do so.

We at The Atlantic offered Autism Speaks a page in our November issue--a small contribution on our end that hopefully helps spread awareness.

Here are just a few ways you can help as well:

• Become informed. Follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter to learn about the latest updates. 
• Create a fundraising page. 
• Sign up for Walk Now for Autism Speaks, which is held throughout the year in various locations. 
• Host an Autism Speaks event. 
• Donate whatever you can, which doesn't have to be money. 

There are many other small ways in which we can raise awareness, and collectively, we can have a big impact, hopefully leading to a breakthrough.