Autism Awareness Events Scheduled Throughout April
In recognition of April as Autism Awareness Month, the University will host events to educate the campus community about autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The events will provide an opportunity to learn the facts about autism, to understand its daily impact across campus and to help students, faculty and staff contribute positively to those individuals with autism who attend Duquesne.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism spectrum disorder affects one in 88 American children, a 10-fold increase in prevalence over the past 40 years. According to the CDC, the diagnosis of autism has increased nearly 300 percent in a span of seven years, which indicates that the number of young adults with autism who will be entering college will increase.
The following Autism Awareness Month events are free to attend:
Tuesday, April 2
A screening of Billy the Kid, a coming-of-age story of 15-year-old Billy who has Asperger’s Syndrome, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 613 of the Union.
A light lunch will be served.
Monday, April 8
A screening of Temple Grandin, an HBO Films presentation that tells the story of a young autistic woman who succeeds against the odds through mentoring and sheer will, will be shown from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Power Center Ballroom.
Wednesday, April 10
Real life examples of living with autism will be discussed at the student panel, Day in the Life, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Africa Room. A light lunch will be served.
Friday, April 12
A screening of Today’s Man, a movie that tells the story of Nicky Gottlieb, who was diagnosed at age 21 with Asperger’s Syndrome, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in Room 613 of the Union. Immediately following the screening, an expert panel will provide tips for working, living and learning alongside individuals with autism. The panelists will include:
- Dr. Tammy Hughes, professor and chair of counseling, psychology and special education
- Dr. Ann Huang, associate professor of counseling, psychology and special education
- Dr. Rachel Robertson, assistant professor of special education
- Dr. Diane Williams, associate professor of speech-language pathology.
Reservations are required and can be made by contacting rusnak@duq.edu.
The planning committee members for Autism Awareness Month events are Nick Dubos, Dr. Tammy Hughes, Susan Monahan, Dr. Rachel Robertson and Sean Weaver. The events were supported by donations from the Rev. Sean Hogan, C.S.Sp., Dr. Ralph Pearson and the academic deans.
For more information on Autism Awareness Month, contact Susan Monahan at 412.396.6642.