NEW YORK, NY (September 27, 2012) – At a growing annual gathering of the world leaders, first spouses, scientists, and the disability community held in the wings of the United Nations General Assembly meetings, a new U.N. initiative spearheaded by the global advocacy group Autism Speaks gained momentum with the backing of many in the developing world who want autism considered a major threat to global health. At the Fifth Annual “World Focus on Autism” event, Bob and Suzanne Wright, co-founders of Autism Speaks, urged attendees to support the new resolution on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developmental disabilities that was introduced by Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, prime minister of Bangladesh, during the 67th United NationsGeneral Assembly session. The resolution calls for greater participation of the U.N. in recognizing autism as a public health crisis and encourages member nations to tackle developmental disorders at the local, national and international levels.

“[This U.N. resolution] will help the people and families with developmental disorders become a part of our life in terms of economiccontribution, social participation and political significance,” Sheikh Hasina said. “We urge you to support, and raise awareness around the new U.N. resolution. With your support, we believe the resolution will be adopted and this small step for a small fraction of mankind will lead to a big leap towards better humanity.”

The “World Focus on Autism,” sponsored by Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism research and advocacy organization, brought together more than 15 heads of state and first spouses in an unprecedented show of support to raise awareness of autism around the world and encourage collaboration among nations to improve service provision and share best practices. The event was held at and co-sponsored by the Roosevelt House at Hunter College and the Hunter Autism Research, Practice, & Policy (HARPP) Center.

The event assembled one of the broadest coalitions in the organization’s history, with heads of state and first spouses from Albania, Australia, Bangladesh, Croatia, Guyana, the Maldives, Mali, Namibia, Panama, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in attendance. Dignitaries from Benin, Cyprus, Ireland, Nigeria, Senegal, Serbia, South Korea, Turkey and Ukraine were also in attendance. The event was moderated by Sue Herera of CNBC.

The developing world has recently taken the lead on issues related to autism as indicated by the unique presence of leaders from Africa and South Asia at the event. Four out of five people with psychiatric disorders live in developing countries where they often have fewer opportunities for treatment, according to a recent report from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). The same report states that researchers in various African countries have found that children with autism tend to be diagnosed much later in those countries than their counterparts in the U.S., and are more likely to be nonverbal.

Autism Speaks is working to help many countries in the developing world provide resources and improve the lives of individuals with autism, including Albania, Bangladesh, South Africa, and recently Panama, which are participants in Autism Speaks’ Global Autism Public Health (GAPH) initiative. The GAPH initiative is an effort that aims to increase awareness, service delivery, and research around the world, with particular focus on early intervention. Autism Speaks has collaborations inmore than 40 countries.

Her Excellency Mrs. Ban Soon-taek gave opening remarks at the event, and praised Autism Speaks and the GAPH initiative for their tremendous work overseas. Mrs. Ban, along with her spouse U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has been an avid supporter of improving the lives of individuals with autism. On a trip to Serbia earlier this summer, Mrs. Ban visited the Dr. Olga Hadži Antonović daycare center for children with autism in Belgrade and encouraged the country to get involved in GAPH.

“Our collective focus on autism is strong and is growing stronger. Through partnership, outreach and research we can do even more,” said Mrs. Ban Soon-taek. “… It takes awareness at the local, national and international levels to ensure that support is maintained for those affected by autism.”

Expressing gratitude to the attending first spouses and other dignitaries for their support, Suzanne and Bob Wright pressed the crowd to get behind the U.N. Resolution. They also reviewed the incredible progress that Autism Speaks has made over the past five years since the World Focus on Autism launched and their hopes for even better results over the next five years.

“The only way we will see real advancements is through the ongoing participation of our international stakeholders – the people who are instrumental in producing results that will benefit families,” Suzanne Wright said. “Thank you for giving individuals with autism a chance for a better life.”

Also taking stage at the event was Her Excellency Mrs. Marta Linares de Martinelli, first lady of Panama, who spoke about her country’s increasing commitment to improving services for individuals with autism in Panama and throughout Latin America. She also announced her country’s enthusiasm over their new GAPH partnership with Autism Speaks, and expressed her hopes for the future.

“Our future endeavors will help keep hope and autism together,” said H.E. Mrs. Marta Linares de Martinelli. “[With the GAPH initiative partnership] we seek to raise awareness, improve access to high quality services and we hope to partner with other countries in Latin America by working together we can share experiences andtruly make a difference for those affected by ASD.”

Sheikh Hasina also announced that in January 2013, in accordance with the July 2011 Dhaka Declaration, the governments of Bangladesh and India, with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Autism Speaks, will hold the first meeting of the Southeast Asia Autism Network (SAAN) in New Delhi, India. The mission of SAAN will be to identify regional challenges and opportunities for partnership on issues related to autism.

“Bangladesh is proud to be working at the forefront of creating a more inclusive society for people with ASD by providing regionalleadership and sharing good practices,” Sheikh Hasina said. “… Bangladesh and India, both countries with large populations, are literally re-writing public health and education policies to improve the lives of individuals with autism. Together, we are setting an example for the rest of the world.”

Canadian Member of Parliament Mike Lake was a special guest at the event along with his son Jaden, who is 16 years old and has autism. Mr. Lake gave moving remarks about his work advocating for families affected byautism in Canada, and about the joys and challenges of raising Jaden.



About Autism

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum – a 78 percent increase in six years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.



About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed over $180 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 95 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.



About the Hunter Autism Research, Practice, & Policy (HARPP) Center at Hunter College

Hunter College created the HARPP Center in direct response to the growing needs of New York City children on the autism spectrum. Our programs support the families and practitioners who work with these children, drawing upon Hunter’s strengths in teacher training, research, community outreach, and public policy. Each of Hunter’s five schools – Arts and Sciences, Education, Nursing, Public Health, and Social Work – contribute to this effort, making the Center uniquely positioned to produce applied research, and to address the pressing issues facing those affected by autism.



About the Roosevelt House at Hunter College

Roosevelt House, an integral part of Hunter College since 1943, reopened in 2010 as a public policy institute honoring the distinguished legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Its mission is three-fold: to educate students in public policy and human rights, to support faculty research, and to foster creative dialogue. As a public policy institute, Roosevelt House provides opportunities for students to analyze public policy and experience meaningful civic engagement; for faculty to research, teach, and write about important issues of the day; and for scholarly and public audiences to participate in high-profile lectures, seminars and conferences.