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3rd annual "Walk the Walk" campaign bringing awareness to Autism and Childhood Obesity - Saturday, March 13, 2010 starting at 9:00 am on the campus of LSUS

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What is Autism?
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). 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.

At what age can Autism be diagnosed in a child?
Autism spectrum disorders can usually be reliably diagnosed by age 3, although new research is pushing back the age of diagnosis to as early as 6 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child's failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. New research shows that when parents suspect something is wrong with their child, they are usually correct. If you have concerns about your child's development, don't wait: speak to your pediatrician about getting your child screened for autism. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier interventions can begin.

Is there a cure for Autism?
Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure. If your child is diagnosed with autism, early intervention is critical to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies. Research indicates that early intervention in an appropriate educational setting for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improvements for many young children with autism spectrum disorders. Effective programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills.

What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is an established measure utilized by physicians and health experts to determine weight status (i.e. underweight, overweight or within a healthy weight range).

What do BMI ranges mean?
Experts generally consider a BMI below 20 to be underweight and a BMI of 20 to 25 to be healthy. BMIs of 25 to 30 are generally considered overweight, while a BMI over 30 is generally considered very overweight (obese).

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