Mayor Allen Foster has proclaimed April 2025 as Autism Awareness Month in Cumberland County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that around 1 in every 59 school-aged children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder.
Mayor Foster says Cumberland County is committed to helping individuals on the autism spectrum reach their full potential and he calls “upon all citizens to commit to learning, understanding, and helping individuals with autism better navigate our world in his or her own individual way.”
(Read the full Proclamation below.)
April 2025 is Autism Awareness Month in Cumberland County!
WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorder refers to a broad range of conditions that vary from mild to severe, characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication; and
WHEREAS, autism is a reality that affects millions of families every day, and while our nation has made progress in supporting those with ASD, we are only beginning to understand the factors behind the challenges they face; and
WHEREAS, symptoms of autism may present themselves in a variety of combinations, and can result in significant lifelong impairment of an individual’s ability to learn, develop healthy interactive behaviors, and understand verbal and nonverbal communication; and
WHEREAS, while there is no cure for autism, it is well documented that if individuals with autism receive early and intensive treatment, specifically Applied Behavior Analysis, they lead significantly improved lives; and
WHEREAS, individuals with autism often require a lifetime of specialized and community support services to ensure their health and safety and to support families’ resilience as they manage the psychological and financial burdens autism can represent; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that around 1 in every 59 school-aged children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder; and
WHEREAS, Cumberland County is committed to ensuring that people living with autism have access to lifelong care and services needed to pursue their full potential and happiness; and
WHEREAS, during Autism Awareness Month, we recommit to helping individuals on the autism spectrum reach their full potential; and
WHEREAS, Cumberland County is honored to take part in the annual observance of Autism Awareness Month and World Autism Awareness Day with hope that it leads to greater curiosity, education, and understanding of the subject; so
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Allen Foster, Mayor of Cumberland County, on this World Autism Awareness Day, do hereby proclaim April 2025 as Autism Awareness Month in Cumberland County, and I call upon all citizens to commit to learning, understanding, and helping individuals with autism better navigate our world in his or her own individual way.