AUTISM SPEAKS MONTHLY: MICHIGANVolume 1 | Issue 3| March 2015

Michiganders to help create

and be part of a more inclusive
community, said Calley. I
often say people have different
abilities, not disabilities. This is
a perfect time to look at things
from a new perspective.

Autism Speaks Monthly:

Michigan
Editor: Kelly Ansell
Phone: (313) 820-3833

A developmental
disability is described as a
Main Office:
chronic disability affecting
New York
mental and/or physical
1 East 33rd Street
impairments. Michigan began
4th Floor
making steps to reduce the
New York, NY 10016
stigma surrounding
Michigan names March Developmental
Disabilities
Month
developmental
disabilities Awareness
Phone: (212)
252-8584
back in 2014 by enacting
legislation removing the terms
Fax: (212) 252-8676
mental retardation and
mentally retarded and
replaced them with people first
March has officially been
Donate:
language.
named Developmental Disabilities
donate@autismspeaks.o
awareness month by Gov. Rick
Autism Speaks
rg
Synder, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, the
commends Michigans efforts
Michigan Department of
to bridge the gap between
Online Store:
Community Health and the
society and individuals with
estore@autismspeaks.or
Michigan Developmental
developmental disabilities.
g
Disabilities Council in an effort to
For more information on
celebrate individuals affected by
Update Contact Info:
Developmental Disabilities
autism across the nation.
Awareness Month, please visit update@autismspeaks.o
Developmental Disabilities
www.michigan.gov/ddcouncil
rg
Awareness Month is a chance for

+Turn to page two for Light It Up Blue 2015

tips on how you can
light it up blue this
April

World Autism Awareness Day

(WAAD), celebrated each year on April
2, celebrates the unique talents, skills
and personalities of individuals with
autism across the world. WAAD also
celebrates the international Light It
Up Blue Campaign where thousands
of landmarks, businesses and
communities shine blue lights to
signify their support for autism
research, advocacy and to support the

Issue 3|March 2015

New Meta-analysis Confirms No Link Between Vaccines

and Autism

A meta-analysis of 10 studies involving more than 1.2 million children has corroborated previous studi
While no link was found between vaccines and an increase in autism, scientists say immunizations ma

This analysis provides further confirmation for a lack of association between vaccines and autism that the broader health
Please visit the Autism Speaks website for our official policy statement on vaccines and autism.

How
You
Can
Light It
Up
Blue:
Wear
Show
Blue:
Blue:

Share Blue:

Ask family, friends, co-workers and staff to wear blue April 2

Tweet to
your
blue
apparel,
on
Project
the
Autismshirts, pins, bracelets or other blue accessories
Stock up
Autism
Speaks
show
your
support
photos or autism facts
Speaks puzzle piece or
with the hashtag #LIUB
Light It Up Blue logo on
walls or buildings
Turn your Facebook or
Twitter profile picture blue
Change outdoor or
on the Autism Speaks
indoor white bulbs to
website
blue bulbs

Tint windows with blue

gel sheets

Personalize your very

own #LIUB selfie sign to
show us where you light it
up blue
2