Pinning Down Autism – Autism Speaks Through the Wrestling Community
Pinning Down Autism began in December 2006 with members of the wrestling community who are personally affected by Autism.
Today, 1 in 150 individuals are diagnosed with Autism, a condition that was almost unheard of just a few years ago, and the incidence is ever increasing.
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The Pinning Down Autism mission is to bring the collective strength of the wrestling community together in this battle that must be fought and won immediately.
Funds raised by our efforts are contributed to Autism Speaks, a group that is committed to changing the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.
You may have noticed the puzzle piece theme used on the Pinning Down Autism website. Scroll down this page to find out why puzzle pieces are the International symbol for Autism.
What is Autism?
Autism is a developmental disability that affects, in different forms and to varying degrees, a person's ability to communicate and socially interact with others. Those afflicted range from individuals who are simply disassociated with their environment and those around them, to people with little to no spoken language and severe developmental delays, to people who will remain dependant upon round the clock care to for their entire lives.
Most autistic children have the same emotions as other children. They have the same need for love and comfort, and desire to play and have fun. Just like you and I, they wish to be treated with respect and consideration.
1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls.
The Significance of the Puzzle Piece Image
The puzzle piece logo was first created in 1963 by the National Autistic Society. They explain “that the symbol of the Society should be the puzzle as this did not look like any other commercial or charitable one as far as they could discover. The puzzle piece is so effective because it tells us something about autism: our children are handicapped by a puzzling condition; this isolates them from normal human contact and therefore they do not 'fit in'.”
Since then, the interlocking, mutli-colored puzzle piece has become the international symbol of autism. Its significance has become multi-faceted. For some it represents the mystery and complexity of the disorder, for others it represents the mechanical nature of an autistics persons thought process. The bright colors are said to represent hope.
Click here or on the puzzle images to find out more from Pinning Down Autism
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