Foster measure marks April 2 for autism

This year’s Autism Awareness Day in Michigan, complete with the Mackinac Bridge lit blue to mark the day, will be Tuesday, April 2 following state House approval of a resolution sponsored by state Rep. Frank Foster.

An estimated 15,000 children in Michigan have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder that appears within the first three years of life.

“Autism in children is a growing health challenge for our state, with the number more than doubling in the last decade,” said Foster, R-Petoskey.

One of every 88 children in America has autism and there is a greater risk of being diagnosed with autism than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

House Resolution 59 was unanimously approved by the House.