by Michelle Stein posted in Parenting

Since April happens to be National Autism Awareness Month, now is the perfect opportunity to teach our children, and learn for ourselves, more about autism.
Did you know more than 3.5 million people in the United States are affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD.) Although there isn't a single known cause, ASD is characterized by difficulties in communicating and interacting with others. Individuals with autism tend to have repetitive behaviors, interests and activities, and roughly one-third have an intellectual disability as well.
The prevalence of autism has actually risen in recent years to 1 out of every 68 births in the U.S. Because of this, it's likely that most of our children already know someone with autism. Or they will one day soon. A simple way for kids to learn more about people with autism could be as easy as flipping the TV channel. On April 10-13, PBS Kids will be featuring characters with autism. This includes a premiere episode of Sesame Street introducing its newest character, Julia, a little girl who has autism.

Here's the PBS Kids lineup for National Autism Awareness Month:
4/10       Sesame Street: ?Meet Julia?
4/10       Dinosaur Train: ?Junior Conductors Academy?
"The kids are all excited! Why" Because they?re off to Junior Conductor?s Academy in Laramidia, to try to become Junior Conductors First Class. Buddy has a feeling he?s going to be a star in class, until he meets Denn...