麻豆视频

Eastern Florida Faculty Member United Nations Conference Speaker

Dr. Nicole DeCaro knows autism and the debilitating problems it brings to those afflicted and their families.

Her son, Phillip, 21, is autistic and the 麻豆视频 business instructor has devoted herself to raising awareness about the disorder and getting help for those suffering from it.

That activism is taking DeCaro to the United Nations where she will speak March 13 at the U.N.鈥檚 20th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

The purpose of the New York meeting is to promote awareness of the global healthcare issues that are facing women and seek solutions.

DeCaro will discuss the autism epidemic and related developmental disabilities, and press for the need to provide more and better services for intervention.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been an advocate for people who can鈥檛 advocate for themselves so I鈥檓 very much honored to do this,鈥� says DeCaro, the coordinator for the college鈥檚 Entrepreneurship Program on the Cocoa campus.

鈥淓arly intervention and education programs can make children with autism grow into adults who have a degree of productivity. They can contribute a great deal and we should celebrate every little bit that improves their lives.鈥�

When her son was young, DeCaro quickly found that 鈥渟ervices were not even close to adequate to help those with autism.鈥�

She waded into the fight to get that changed, pushing nationally for programs to combat autism, gain acceptance for those stricken with it and that assist family members who struggle to provide care.

She has also taken her campaign to Africa, where she is working with the Nigerian government to establish a center for autism education and therapy.

鈥淎utism isn鈥檛 even recognized there so there鈥檚 a lot of work to do to start creating awareness,鈥� says DeCaro, who serves on the Board of Directors for the USA-Africa Chamber of Commerce.

鈥淣ot much has been done to reach people around the world and I want to play a role in providing needed information.鈥�

The U.N. meeting is part of the U.N. Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Information presented at the conference will also be discussed at a later session in Beijing, China.