Autism Awareness Month affects CSULB

According to an article published by the Daily 49er, CSULB professor Dave Whitney is pushing to increase the autism awareness in others after his two children were diagnosed with the disease.  

Two years ago, Whitney's first child was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  Now, two years later, his second child has been diagnosed.  Instead of focusing on the negative, Whitney is sharing his knowledge with those around him.

Whitney currently teaches a special topics course on autism and is trying to make it part of the psychology department's curriculum, according to the Daily 49er.  As he waits for approval, he plans to teach another special topics course during the sumer on communication disorders.

This is the second-most common serious developmental disability, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Characteristics of ASD include communication deficits, social interaction problems, and presence of routine behaviors.  Sufferers are awkward in social situations and have little recognition of normal cues, according to Whitney.

With April being Autism Awareness Month, people across the nation are getting together to raise money for the cause.  On April 26, the Walk Now for Autism will take place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to help raise money and awareness.