AUTISM SPEAKS SAN DIEGO WALK POSTERS IN CITY BUSES

Autism Speaks announced today that posters promoting its upcoming November 3 Walk Now For Autism will appear in San Diego and Chula Vista buses. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System has donated space in 317 buses. Two posters will appear in each bus promoting the 5K walk and resource fair that will take place at Balboa Park.

Robert Blitz, the walk’s Co-Chair, stated that Autism Speaks is thrilled to have the support of the San Diego MTS. This is the second year that Autism Speaks has been able to promote its walk and raise awareness about autism by reaching out to users of the San Diego bus system. According to Blitz, "last year’s information campaign in the city buses was a great success in bringing families with autistic children together and helping to build an awareness of autism in the community".

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

Registration for the walk can be done either on the day of the event starting at 8:00 am or online at www.walknowforautism.org. Opening ceremonies will be at 9:30 am and the walk will start at 10:00 am.

Participants can form teams, invite others to the walk and raise funds from their own easy to create website. The entrance to the walk will be at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Laurel Street.