BINGHAMTON, NY – The Institute for Child Development (ICD) at Binghamton University will host a series of events in honor of National Autism Awareness Month.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have become much more common over the last two decades, and greater emphasis is being placed on early identification to decrease the delay in access to treatment. Because children vary greatly in how they develop, especially between birth and age 5, care must be taken to accurately identify children as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and not miss signs of a problem. 

Events include:

April 26 - The ICD will offer a free ASD Screening Clinic to determine if children are exhibiting signs associated with ASD so that families can seek more in-depth diagnostic evaluation. Children ages 1-5 and their families are eligible for the free screening. To schedule an appointment, call (855) 910-4ASD or visit casd.binghamton.edu and click on the link for the Free ASD Screening Clinic to schedule an appointment using the online form.

May 3 - TLC Pizzeria, 904 Front St., Binghamton, will host its annual ASD fundraising benefit from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Family friendly activities, entertainment and basket raffles will be set up to promote community engagement and discussion about the impact of ASD.

June 7 - The ICD will host a free car-seat check for children and their families. Christine Muss, Broome County Health Department traffic safety coordinator, and a child passenger safety technician team will be at the ICD on the Binghamton University campus from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to check car seats for families.

Raymond Romanczyk, distinguished service professor of clinical psychology and Jennifer Gillis, associate professor of clinical psychology, are co-directors of the ICD. Founded in 1974 and located on the Binghamton University campus in Vestal, N.Y., the ICD has been providing clinical and education services to children and families for 40 years.