Governor Jack Markell will be one of the keynote speakers at the United Nations Thursday to mark World Autism Awareness Day.
Markell will join UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in urging businesses to make concrete commitments to employ people with autism.It is estimated that more than 80 per cent of adults on the autism spectrum are unemployed or underemployed.
Autism Delaware executive director Teresa Avery says companies are missing out if they don’t consider integrating their workforce.
“People with autism are wonderful employees; they find a job they love and are good at, they can be wonderful at any of a number of things. Over time, what’s wonderful to see is the fact that the participant has autism fades away and the participant becomes a member of the team.”
There is currently no cure for autism. Research suggests that the development of autism is rooted in very early brain development but in most cases, no one cause can be identified.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in every 68 children in the U.S has some form of autism.
And Avery says the First State is not immune to the trend in rising numbers.
"In 1991, there were 152 children in our public schools with the educational classification of autism. Today there are 1.512.That is an 895 percent increase over 23 years," said Avery.
The month of April has been designated as Autism Awareness month in Delaware.
The annual Walk for Autism steps off from Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes on April 18th and from Fox Point State Park in Wilmington on April 25th.