英语课程计划-World Autism Awareness Day

April the 2nd is World Autism Awareness¹ Day (WAAD). Autism is a disorder² that affects the development of the brain. People who suffer from autism often have problems interacting³ socially with others. They also repeat the same things again and again. WAAD started in 2007 when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to recognize the disorder. The Emir of Qatar pushed for this day to take place and won support from UN member states. WAAD is one of only three United Nations Days that focus on specific diseases. It aims to bring the world's attention to autism and the tens of millions of sufferers. On this day, countries hold events that celebrate the unique talents and skills of autistic people.

Autism affects as many as 1 in 150 children. No one knows the reason why, but boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls. Autism can affect any child in the world, regardless of where they live or their social background. It is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the world and is a growing global health crisis⁴. Autism affects more children around the world than AIDS, cancer and diabetes⁵ combined. Parents usually notice the first signs of autism in children from the age of two. Although there is no cure for the condition yet, education can help the child become more independent. However much care autistic children receive, few grow up and look after themselves.

1 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

2 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

3 interacting   

adj.相互影响的；相互作用的

参考例句：

• The interacting surfaces were lubricated with a mineral oil. 相互作用表面是用矿物油润滑的。
• Proteins which have two separate but interacting sites are called allosteric proteins. 这种具有两个不同而又相互作用位置的蛋白质叫做变构蛋白质。

4 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

5 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。