Ribbon of Many Hues

*Updated April 14, 2012

  The Puzzle Ribbon- designed with multicolored pieces of jigsaw puzzle is the awareness ribbon symbolizing Autism [1]. The jigsaw puzzle pattern perfectly represents the complicated nature of the disorder. The various colors and shapes represent the fact that Autism can affect anyone regardless of race and socio-economic status. The radiant hues signify hope that people with Autism will have better lives through early diagnosis and appropriate intervention.
  Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brain's normal development leading to social impairment, communication difficulties, restricted stereotyped patterns of behavior[2]. Physical attributes are unaffected. They look just like any other children but their behavioral patterns are different from those of typical children.

  Autism was used to be a rare disorder, but now its prevalence rate has increased tremendously around the world affecting 1 in 88 children, 1 in 54 boys. It is more predominant in boys than girls with a ratio of 5:1 [3]. In the Philippines, almost 1 million Filipinos are affected with Autism [4].
Recent development indicates both genetics and environment play a role in its causation. But exactly how and why is still uncertain.
  The 2nd day of April of every year is World Autism Awareness Day as declared on November 2007 by the United Nations General Assembly [5]. April is Autism Awareness Month.
  In the Philippines, the 3rd week of January is Autism Consciousness Week as designated by Presidential Proclamation No. 711 signed on  January 4, 1996 [6].
  It is used to be thought that Autism is just a fate that has to be accepted no matter how emotionally devastating it can be. But acceptance is not synonymous with hopelessness . The day will come that research can identify the causes and cure for Autism. Until then, let us keep our hopes up for the best outcome.



References:
 1. Autism Society- Puzzle Ribbon
 2. National Institute of Neurological Disorder & Stroke
 3. Centers for Disease Control
 4. mb.com.ph - editorial, Jan. 25, 2012
 5. U.N. Press Release Note No. 6138
 6. National Council for Disability Affairs