In
2007 the United Nations General Assembly declared 2 April as World
Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity and this year sees the fourth
annual celebration of this event. This UN resolution is one of only three
official disease-specific United Nations Days and brings the world’s attention
to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions.

WAAD puts the spotlight on autism as a growing global health crisis and it’s
activities help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism
epidemic and impart information regarding the importance of early
diagnosis and early intervention. Additionally, WAAD celebrates the unique
talents and skills of persons with autism and is a day when individuals
with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the
globe.

Molecular Autism is helping raise
awareness in this field where dissemination of accurate information is
extremely important and provides an accessible source of up-to-date scientific
information for scientists, educators, clinicians, and families. Whilst still a
young journal, it is already making an impact in the international community
with a recent article, explaining how a genetic mutation can lead to autism,
being picked up by Science
Magazine and Medical
News Today. The journal remains committed to publishing high quality
articles at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs in the field of autism
and associated conditions.