Did you know that autism could soon be the most widespread disability in the United States? Never before has autism affected so many so quickly …oEvery day in this country, 50 more children are diagnosed with autism, with more than 1.5 million diagnosed … autism is a national health care crisis of epidemic proportions!oAutism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. oAutism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries.oFamily income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism’s occurrence. oToday autism has no known cause or cure. Children and families facing the difficulties of autism need the support from their community — you can make a difference in their life so that individuals with autism can lead a productive and fulfilling life. We are writing this letter so others may become more aware of what autism is. We would like to thank the staff at the Luverne Public School and Rock County Family Services for the excellent services they provide for families and individuals with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). It has been a journey the past nine years with many challenges and successes. We have found a partnership with professionals in our county and we feel very lucky to have such a dedicated team in providing services to individuals and families. We would also like to thank the 5th grade class at Luverne Public School. They are a great group of children who are very caring and thoughtful. Their friendship means so much and opens the door for inclusion for Derek. Words can’t express enough how fortunate we feel to live in our community. Thank you to everyone for all your time and hard work. It certainly makes a difference!Doug, Colleen and Derek DeutschLuverne
