As part of an NBA league-wide initiative, the Cleveland Cavaliers have partnered with Cleveland Clinic Children’s and the international organization Autism Speaks, to recognize World Autism Awareness Day (Friday, April 2nd). The Cavs vs. Indiana Pacers game on Sunday, March 30th at 3:00 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena will be dedicated to bring awareness about the developmental brain disorder.
Children from the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism and Autism Speaks will be special guests for the night and will participate in exciting fan experience activities, starting with the Cavs Benchwarmers and Team Scouts programs, where they have the opportunity to sit on the Cavs and Pacers benches to watch the pregame player warm-ups. Kids will then take to the court later in the game to join the Cavs game entertainment teams in a t-shirt toss.
As part of Autism Speaks’ global Light It Up Blue campaign, the interior of The Q’s Arcade entrance will be lit up in blue that night, and the outside of The Q will be lit up in blue beginning that night and continue throughout the month of April. The Cavs coaches, staff and broadcasters will be wearing a blue puzzle piece pin that night to show their support. Fans will learn more about autism throughout the game with public service announcements and autism facts running on Q-Tube, as well as Cleveland Clinic Children’s and Autism Speaks informational tables on the arena concourse. Additionally, fans can “Light it Up” by getting their hair and face painted blue at the “Express Yourself” station, and support Autism Speaks by participating in the 50/50 raffle.
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing nearly $200 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. The organization 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. To learn more, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.
The team at Cleveland Clinic Children's Center for Autism believes that all children deserve the opportunity to laugh and play and to become healthy, happy and productive adults. Children with autism require specially designed services and support to reach those goals. They strive to meet their needs by evaluating and diagnosing autism as early as possible, providing accurate, up-to-date information about autism treatment and giving children access to research-supported, assessment driven treatment and education. Cleveland Clinic Children’s provides diagnostic treatment and education services both at the Center for Autism and in the community, and also offers consultations, and conducts training and research to improve the lives of children with autism and their families.
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 social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors.
- Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the US.
- Every 11 minutes, another child is diagnosed with autism.
- Autism affects approximately 70 million people around the world.
For more information on autism and Autism Speak’s global Light It Up Blue campaign, please visit AutismSpeaks.org. For more information on the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism, please visit www.ClevelandClinicChildrens.org/Autism.