As you know, the Hormel Historic Home has placed a great emphasis on serving young people in our area who are affected with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

With two summer camps firmly in place and a third one in development, the HHH continues to give numerous youth something to look forward to in the summer.

Autism Speaks, an advocacy organization committed to “changing the future for all who struggle with an autism spectrum disorder,” has been working hard to fulfill their mission for ten years now. They recently published a list of research findings that have occurred over the last 10 years, and I have listed some of the group’s findings here:

•Autism’s prevalence has skyrocketed (now 1 in 68).

•Autism can be reliably diagnosed by age 2.

•High-quality early intervention does more than develop skills.

•Behavioral therapy for autism can transform lives.

•One-third of children and adults with autism are nonverbal.

•Assistive communication devices encourage speech in some nonverbal children.

•Autism-related GI disorders are real.

•As many as one third of individuals with autism have epilepsy.

•We’ve begun to identify autism’s environmental risk factors.

•Nearly half of those with autism wander or bolt.

•Nearly two-thirds of children with autism have been bullied.

•Most adults with autism (84%) remain living with their parents.

•Nearly half of 25-year-olds with autism have never held a paying job.

•Each year, an estimated 50,000 teens with autism age out of school-based autism services.

•The cost of autism across a lifetime averages $1.4 million to $2.4 million.

Visit www.autismspeaks.org/news for the complete list and additional information.

Though it isn’t Autism Awareness month yet, the Hormel Historic Home has several events scheduled that will shine light on the cause and raise funds for our continued programming. On Friday, March 13, we are hosting an Art For Autism Night. Attendees will enjoy creating a painting that represents autism. These works of art will then be displayed at the Austin ArtWorks Center for the month of April.

On March 21 volunteers from our programs will be bagging groceries at Hy-Vee and asking shoppers to “Round-up” their purchases. Members of the ASD planning team will be on hand to answer questions and promote our events.

An Autism Awareness seminar will be held on Tuesday, April 7, at the HHH. This event will feature a general session and various breakout sessions focusing on: The Power of Visuals; Setting Kids up for Success; and Sensory Sensitivities and Interventions.

The fourth annual Stepping Out for Autism fundraising walk will take place on Saturday, April 18 and will start at 10 a.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. Individuals or teams can sign up to walk for $15 per person.

Whether you are personally affected by an ASD diagnosis, or just interested in learning more about it, I hope you will participate in one of our many activities.  Please call me if you have questions about any of the upcoming programs.  507-433-4243.

History Happy Hour

March 9, 2015

Social time is at 5:30 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m.

Living the Mayberry Life, presented by Gary Schindler.

Free to members of the MCHS, HHH, or Friends of the Library. $5 for non-members.

Light snacks offered and cash bar available.