Since their son was first diagnosed with autism in 1996, Juan and Sharon Leon have watched autism become the fastest growing and most common childhood disorder today. In that time we watched the incidence rate of autism jump from 1 in 2,500 children to 1 in 110 children.

When Michael was diagnosed, autism was even more of mystery than it is today.  They didn’t know where to get help for him, in fact they didn’t even have the internet to turn to for resources.  It was their own personal experiences in searching for solutions, treatments and services that could make a difference for Michael, that they were introduced to many other families with autism that were facing the exact same struggles.

Autism treatment requires that parents investigate, assess, finance and advocate for supports for their children.  This is a real test of their physical, emotional, financial and intellectual resources, as well as perseverance and patience.  It places undue burden on parents, who are already providing all the fundamental care of raising a special needs child (care that requires consistency, behavioral management, and all the trials of feeding, clothing, putting to bed, etc.) as well as care for and raise siblings, earn a living and provide for a healthy, happy home environment. The stress, heartache and financial burden of autism can be overwhelming for families.

Juan and Sharon started the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR) in 2003 because, as parents, they wanted to see effective treatments, resources and opportunities made available for ALL children with autism.  Through their annual San Diego Race for Autism, NFAR funds much-needed programs and services for families living with autism in their community and in the past 5 years they have seen it grow into one of the largest autism fundraisers in Southern California.  NFAR has already awarded more $300,000 in funding to more than 30 community programs and 156 teachers grants throughout San Diego, benefitting thousands of local children.  And on March 27th, they expect to welcome more than 5,000 people at the 6th annual Race.

For more information visit www.nfar.org and www.RaceforAutism.org.

http://www.RaceForAutism.com

Video by: Chris Morrow

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The medical journal The Lancet on Tuesday retracted a controversial 1998 paper that linked the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism.

The study linked autism with the MMR vaccine. The research had been discredited subsequently. Read more here .

If autism touches your life we want to hear from you. Have you seen a change in public attitudes toward the disorder in the last year or two? If so, how? What else should the rest of the world know about living with autism?