Autism Speaks: increase the level of early detection

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the United States.* Today, 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, a 78% increase in six years. Despite this high prevalence, research shows that many parents of young children have very little knowledge about autism and are not seeking help soon enough.

This campaign seeks to educate parents about the growing rate of autism in this country and to ultimately increase the level of early detection. The latest effort places emphasis on the importance of learning the signs of autism and seeking early diagnosis since the current age of diagnosis among low income families, particularly African Americans and Hispanics, is higher than the general public.

Because there is currently no cure for autism and no effective means to prevent it, early detection is the crucial first step in helping children with autism. With appropriate early-intervention services from ages 3-5, between 20% and 50% of children diagnosed with autism will be able to attend mainstream kindergarten.

Advertising Agency: BBDO, New York, USA

Chief Creative Officer: David Lubars / Creative Group Head: Peter Alsante / Creative Group Head: Matthew Zaifert
Associate Creative Directors / Copywriters: Peter Alsante, Matthew Zaifert, Adam Noel
Associate Creative Director / Art Director: Jon Kubik / Executive Producer: Helene Balzarini
Senior Producer: Tricia Lentini / Executive Music Producer: Melissa Chester / Production Company: Identity Films
Director / Director of Photography: Philippe Lesourd / Music House: MAS / Edit House: Crew Cuts / Editor: Clayton Hemmert / Assistant Editor: Alison Grasso / Sound Mixing: Sonic Union / Mixer: Michael Marinelli / Sound Mixing: The Kitchen @BBDO / Mixer: Cory Bauman