Source: Spurwink
Guest post by Sue Murphy, BS, Adult Program Senior Program Director, Spurwink
Films by, for and about people with developmental and intellectual disabilities — including autism — increase knowledge and understanding.
Although the Autism Society of America declared the first National Autism Awareness Month in April of 1970, the need for information on a local and regional level is still quite significant.
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 68 US children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).”
Despite the prevalence of children identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the majority of the public are still unaware of how autism affects people. Surprisingly, many professionals in the medical, educational and vocational fields also have limited knowledge and training.
After 45 years of effort, the need for awareness is still great.
You’re invited …
Spurwink, a nationally accredited non-profit organization that provides mental health and educational services in Maine, is creatively calling attention to April’s Autism Awareness month. As a sponsor presenter of the Sprout Film Festival, Spurwink is helping showcase a variety of artistic and memorable films by, for, and about people with developmental and intellectual disabilities – including autism.
The Sprout Film Festival was founded in 2003 and is programmed and supported by Sprout, a NYC-based non-profit organization. Sprout is dedicated to promoting innovative programming concerning people with developmental disabilities. For additional information, visit www.gosprout.org.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Sprout Film Festival Screening in Maine and join (or start) a conversation around the otherwise overlooked and misunderstood topic of autism.
Admission is free for all screenings — donations are accepted gratefully.
Sprout Film Festival Schedule
TUESDAY APRIL 14
Woodfords Church
202 Woodford Street
Portland, Maine
Program 1, 11 am
Program 2, 6:30 pm
WEDNESDAY APRIL 15
Lincoln Auditorium
University of Maine at Farmington
Program 1, 2 pm
Program 2, 7 pm
THURSDAY APRIL 16
Franco Heritage Center
46 Cedar Street
Lewiston
Program 1, 11 am
Program 2, 6:30 pm
For more information, visit www.spurwink.org or call us at 207-871-1200.
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