Autism awareness comes to Mass. statehouse

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Families from all corners of the Commonwealth gathered at the Mass. Statehouse Thursday to observe "Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day."

The event was put on by "Advocates for Autism" and featured parents of children living on the autism spectrum.

They spoke about how Massachusetts must prepare to deal with autism. An estimated 10,000 Massachusetts residents with autism will reach adulthood and need housing in the next decade.

"They age out when they are 18," said Terri Farrell, of Advocates for Autism. "They've got no place to live, no gainful employment. I don't think many people are aware the numbers are growing, not just in diagnosis, but they are aging out of the system."

At the eighth annual event, the group unveiled a new Massachusetts license plate aimed at autism awareness. The group needs 3,000 people to sign up for the plates before they can be produced. (For more information on the license plate, click here.)

Fox 25's Heather Hegedus served as the ceremony's emcee for a second year.

Cox Media Group