One of the reasons I started a fan site was to help out with charitable causes. Fans are amazing when it comes to helping out causes. One of my friends shared this post on Autism that a family friend wrote. I want to share this with fans here. It is not a True Blood news item or Alexander Skarsgard related but one that touched my heart. Hope this post helps bring new awareness to Autism.

Link to : 99 Tacos.blogspot.com

an excerpt from the entry:

My pal Jolene is getting me a cool new t-shirt. It says, “My kid has autism! What’s your excuse?”

Of course, neither of my daughters have autism. Jo and her husband Ken are not as fortunate, though it seems awkward to say that because neither have ever said or done anything to indicate that they consider themselves unfortunate. Whatever the case, I’m going to proudly wear that t-shirt in support of Jo and Ken’s efforts to increase autism awareness.

Their youngest son, Reese, is autistic. While I’ve become close to their family during the past year, I’m still just beginning to understand the challenges of raising an autistic child. I admire Jo and Ken for their ability to endure what must occasionally be – let’s be honest here – a difficult situation. I enjoy Reese. He’s usually happy-go-lucky. Friendly and talkative. He’s very into super heroes, and I think he’s happiest when he’s hanging out with his older brother, Chase.

Not long after I met Jo and Ken, I was hanging out in their garage playing their new “Buck Hunter” stand-up video game in the garage. Reese stood next to me, watching me do my worst. First, I shot a doe, a no-no in this game. Reese’s response: “you suck!”. Then I shot about 10 times at a buck and missed every time. “You suck!” I did a lot of shooting and a lot more missing. After each turn, more the same. “You suck!” “You suck!” “You suck!”

Evidently brutal honesty is one symptom of autistic behavior.

I wonder how many of my friends and family understand just how prevalent autism is? Or, how quickly the rate of diagnosis is increasing? Jo pointed me toward autismspeaks.orgfor some facts.

“Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism. Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually. There is not established explanation for this increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered. Studies suggest boys are more likely than girls to develop autism and receive the diagnosis three to four times more frequently. Current estimates are that in the United States alone, one out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism.”

One out of 70 boys. That kinda blows the mind.  read on:

For more information on autismspeaks please visit their site: A huge thanks to J for sharing this post with me.