Alpha Xi Delta
Texas State University
Alpha Xi Delta’s Partnership with Autism Speaks™
Alpha Xi Delta proudly supports Autism Speaks. The world's largest autism advocacy organization, Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
Alpha Xi Delta college chapters and alumnae associations across the country are committed to raising autism awareness in their communities and fundraising in support of Autism Speaks. In particular, our chapters and associations work to support Autism Speaks’ signature fundraising and awareness event, Walk Now for Autism. With one in 88 children diagnosed with autism and no known cure, Alpha Xi Deltas are committed to improving the lives of children and families affected by autism.
Click here to learn more about Autism Speaks
What is Autism?
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 88 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
Did you know?
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Autism is a devastating neurological disorder that impairs – often severely – an individual’s ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and relate to their surroundings.
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It is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the nation.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects 1 in 88 children, 1 in 54 boys today, compared to 1 to 10,000 just thirteen years ago.
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1.5 million people are affected in the U.S., and tens of millions worldwide.
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3 children are diagnosed every hour; 24,000 each year.
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Despite these statistics, autism research remains severely underfunded.
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Autism receives only three-tenths of 1 percent of NIH funding.
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Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average.
The Delta Psi Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta is excited to bring Autism Speaks to the Texas State campus community. The world's largest autism advocacy organization, Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Our Sisters look forward to increasing autism awareness on our campus and working with Autism Speaks. With one in 150 children diagnosed with autism and no known cure, Alpha Xi Delta is committed to improving the lives of children and families affected by autism. We hope our fundraising and awareness efforts can help put one more piece of the autism puzzle in place. Every fall and spring semester we hold some kind of philanthropy event supporting Autism Speaks. This past year we held our Xi Ball, volleyball tournament in Sewell Park and we held a Zumbathon event on campus! This semester we held Xi Hop, a pancake breakfast, where we raised over $2,700 just from that one event!
Delta Psi's Involvement with Autism Speaks
