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.

Reprinted with the permission of Autism Speaks

Autism affects nearly everyone at some point in life. At Bob’s Red Mill, we are helping to raise awareness about autism by sponsoring our local chapter of the Autism Society of America and partnering with Autism Speaks. We encourage you to find a way to support your community in their efforts to support the families of those with autism. 

Resources:
Autism Speaks: Find support in your area
Autismspeaks.org 
East Coast:
2 Park Avenue
11th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 252-8584

West Coast:
5455 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (323) 549-0500

Autism Society of America: Find support in your area
autism-society.org
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-3067
1.800.3AUTISM

Autism Spot: Online support community
autismspot.com
2300 McDermott Drive
Suite 200-113
Plano, TX 75025
888.317.8074

Defeat Autism Now/Autism Research Institute
autism.com
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
1-866-366-3361

We had a pretty uneventful day around the mill yesterday. No major prank players here. I guess we’re all too busy doing our jobs to think up creative and fun ways to spread humor. Not that we don’t have fun, because we do.

A few years back, one of our blog contributors (who will remain nameless and is NOT me) pulled a prank from the show The Office on our boss. Our boss arrived on April 1^st to find his mouse jiggling every so colorfully on his desk. He has never let the prankster forget it and always gets a kick out of relating the story.

In their usual tradition, Google had a fun new tool for their mail users- Autopilot. Did anything funny happen to you yesterday?