In response to the letter to the editor in the Tribune on Thursday, I would like to take this time to properly introduce myself and a new student organization on campus: I am the founder and president of the Autism Awareness Society of Marquette.

This student organization hosted "Autism Awareness Week" on campus the week of April 10 to 14. Events during the week included an informational table in the Alumni Memorial Union, a book discussion, a speaker and the Central Mall lawn display that was recently critiqued. The purpose of this student organization is to help raise awareness for people with autism and their families by providing students and faculty at Marquette with accurate and up-to-date information regarding the autism spectrum.

Our organization meets biweekly and is planning projects such as respite care for families in Milwaukee, Autism Awareness Days at Marquette, sporting events and a proposal to include education about autism in school health curriculums. In no way are we labeling people diagnosed with autism as disadvantaged. On the contrary, we are making a conscious effort to help people understand that being diagnosed with autism does not always mean you are limited in what you can achieve.

Having a cousin with autism and working with many individuals and families of people with autism, I have seen the amazing things that people diagnosed with autism are capable of, and it is my hope that everyone else will be able to have a similar understanding.

Autism occurs on such a wide spectrum and has varying degrees of severity. I encourage everyone to visit www.autismspeaks.com. Autism Speaks is the nation's leading nonprofit organization devoted to autism and serves as an excellent resource for people to become educated about autism and what a diagnosis of autism really means.

What is autism? According to Autissm Speaks, "Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Today, one in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls.

"Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from mild to quite severe."

Is there a cure? The Web site reads: "Unfortunately, experts have been unable to come up with a cure for autism. Many 'treatments have surfaced since the disorder has grown more visible in the mainstream press, but reputable doctors have yet to agree on any that will reverse the diagnosis.Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure."

Mochel is a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences and the founder and president of the Autism Awareness Society of Marquette.