April is Autism Awareness Month! Across the United States and beyond, the autism community is celebrating its members, holding special events to raise awareness, and raising money for research. This month, I'll be highlighting as many national and local events as I can -- so please feel free to send me information about autism events in your area!

To kick off the month, I'm starting with the new and growing outreach and fundraising force that is Autism Speaks .

Autism Speaks was founded just a few years ago by Bob Wright, CEO of NBC and grandfather to an autistic child. Last year, it merged with the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR). With strong ties to Hollywood and the media, Autism Speaks is VERY busy this month.

Some of the highlights of the Autism Speaks agenda this month projects include a new Public Service Announcement to be launched nationally; special fundraising programs with Build-a-Bear and TJ Maxx, and, most importantly, NAAR's annual walkathons across the country to raise money for autism research.