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Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability tocommunicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied byextreme behavioral challenges. There is no cure for autism and the symptomscan range from quite mild to very severe. Autism rates are increasingthroughout the world. In the United States, diagnoses have increased tenfoldin the last decade, affecting 1 in 150 children according to the Centers forDisease Control. Autism's cause remains unknown, and there is currently notest to help prevent it. Addressing the disorder as a global health issue,the General Assembly of the United Nations has designated April 2nd as WorldAutism Awareness Day in perpetuity, starting in 2008. On April 2nd, U.N.member nations will seek to raise society's awareness of autism througheducation and celebration.
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With Autism Every Day, director Lauren Thierry (who is herself the motherof a child with autism) illuminates the struggles parents of children withautism face every moment of the day. Thierry goes inside the homes of eightdiverse families doing their best to cope with a perplexing disorder thatcompletely dominates their lives. Autism Every Day shows how developmentalskills that most parents take for granted -- a child's ability to brush histeeth or communicate a need -- can prove enormous hurdles for an autisticchild. At the same, Thierry's film captures the unconditional, powerful lovethese parents feel for their children and their determination to provide themwith the best care possible. Autism Every Day was produced by Autism Speaks,the nation's largest advocacy organization.
ABOUT AUTISM SPEAKS
Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrumdisorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments forautism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and theirfamilies. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, thegrandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Vice Chairman, GeneralElectric, and served as chief executive officer of NBC for more than twentyyears. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
ABOUT SUNDANCE CHANNEL
Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is thetelevision destination for independent-minded viewers seeking somethingdifferent. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offersaudiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, andoriginal programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996,Sundance Channel is a venture of NBC Universal, Showtime Networks Inc. andRobert Redford. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profitSundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overallSundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. SundanceChannel's website address is www.sundancechannel.com.
SOURCE Sundance Channel
