The Chilton Autism Network will contribute to April as National Autism Awareness Month with a children’s painting party April 12 at StudioB in Clanton.

“Children will prepare artwork to be displayed at the Peach Jam in June to promote autism awareness,” said Donna Jennings of CAN. “There is no charge for the event.”

The Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council and the Autism Society of Alabama are partnering to promote National Autism Awareness Month, which seeks to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism spectrum disorders.

Jennings said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report in March showing that one in 88 children are diagnosed with some form or degree of autism, up 78 percent in the past decade.

“Some say this puts autism in an epidemic category calling for increased local, state and national support,” Jennings said. “In Alabama, for example, there are currently bills in the House and Senate to reform private insurance for autism services.”

The reform focuses on insurance coverage for applied behavior analysis therapy, expanded occupational therapy and speech therapy and expanded coverage for diagnostics, Jennings said.

“Such therapies can cost a family $10,000 to $50,000 per year, which is a major barrier for most that desperately need these services,” she said.

For more information about autism awareness efforts in Chilton County, visit www.chiltonautism.org or email info@chiltonautism.org.

The painting party will be at 6:30 p.m. StudioB is located at 301 First Ave. in Clanton.