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BROOKFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn and U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (loo-EES' goo-tee-AYRE'-ez) are promoting autism awareness.
The two Illinois Democrats appeared together Saturday at Brookfield Zoo. Quinn also declared Autism Awareness Day throughout Illinois.
The governor says two million people in the U.S. live with autism. He says during Autism Awareness Month "it is our duty to listen, educate and learn about autism, support the autism community and get involved."
Brookfield Zoo provided a day for children with autism to connect with animals and the natural world. It launched a first-of-its-kind pilot program to support early learning among children on the autism spectrum and has partnered with Autism Speaks.
Autism is a complex brain disorder that leads to social and communication difficulties and more.
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Online
Autism Speaks: http://www.autismspeaks.org/
Brookfield Zoo: http://www.brookfieldzoo.org
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