NBCs Autism Week

The good people at the NBC are using all three of their networks to shine the spotlight on autism this week.

I encourage everyone to watch.

I will list the shows first by Network, then again by date.


Last night and tonight, the local stations are running, "Autism: The Hidden Epidemic".

NBC’s Owned & Operated Stations: 7-8pmThe 14 NBC stations of the NBC Universal Television Stations group will focus on the rising autism epidemic in a one-hour special. (Viewers should check their local program listings for individual airdates). Produced by KNBC in Los Angeles and hosted by anchor Michele Ruiz, the program will help educate viewers about the disorder and provide important information on possible causes, warning signs, treatments and therapies. The show also examines the enormous impact autism has on the entire family and documents one family's personal struggles, frustrations and triumphs as they care for their autistic son.

On the Today show, they will run stories on autism every day this week:

Monday, February 21
Today: (7am -10am)What is autism? Detection and the importance of early detection What causes autism?

Tuesday, February 22
Today:(7am -10am)The Autism diagnosis and how to set up a treatment team The Michael Marino story: When early intervention works

Wednesday, February 23
Today: (7am - 10am)Educational programs for treating children with autism How autism affects the family and siblings

Thursday, February 24
Today: (7am-10am)How to be an advocate for your child if they have autism Knowing the law in your community, and getting it to work for you

Friday, February 25
Today: (7am-10am)Bob and Suzanne Wright announce their Public Awareness Campaign Adults with Autism

MSNBC is also featuring autism every day this week:

Monday, February 21
MSNBC: (10:30am - 11am ET)Dr. Pat Levitt, director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research discusses advances in the treatment of autism.

Tuesday, February 22
MSNBC: (10:30am-11am ET)Lee Grossman, president & CEO of the Autism Society of America has a 17-year-old autistic son and shares his personal crusade in raising awareness and funding for autism.

Wednesday, February 23
MSNBC: (10:30am - 11am ET)Gloria and Patrick Fay, parents of twin 7-year-old autistic boys, share their personal story of living with autism.

Thursday, February 24
MSNBC: (10:30am-11am ET)Actor Anthony Edwards, honorary board member of Cure Autism Now

Friday, February 25
MSNBC: (10:30am -11am ET)NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright

CNBC has pieces over four days this week:

Tuesday, February 22
CNBC: Power Lunch (12:30pm) and Closing Bell (4:45pm)The Autism Double Whammy: Paying the emotional and financial price.

Wednesday, February 23
CNBC: Power Lunch (12:30pm) and Closing Bell (4:45pm)Research and funding

Thursday, February 24
CNBC: Power Lunch (12:30pm)Serving the growing population of autistic children
CNBC: Closing Bell (4:45pm)Vernon Smith, 2002 Nobel Laureate in Economics, discusses his personal challenges with Asperger Syndrome

Friday, February 25
CNBC: Power Lunch (12:30) and Closing Bell (4:45) Vocational training for autistic teenagers
CNBC: Power Lunch NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright announces new public awareness campaign

The NBC Nightly News will air some pieces on autism:

Monday, February 21
Nightly News: (6:30pm-7pm ET)Robert Bazell reports on the reasons why autism has gone from a disorder no one knew of a few decades ago to an exploding emergency affecting 1.7 million Americans and their families.

Tuesday, February 22
Nightly News: (6:30pm-7pm)Robert Bazell revisits a California family that responded to their son's diagnosis by taking on the scientific establishment to make autism research a national priority.

Wednesday, February 23
Nightly News: (6:30pm-8pm)Robert Bazell reports on research at Yale University that reveals the inner workings of the minds of people with autism by watching where their eyes focus while watching human interactions in movies and videos.

And for those of you who can speak spanish:

Saturday, February 26
Telemundo: (7pm-8pm) "Autismo: Epidemia Silenciosa?": The show will provide viewers with important information on the disorder and explain how families can seek treatment for their autistic children. KVEA anchor Lucia Navarro will serve as host of the program, which will also explore how the Hispanic community deals with autism and the social stigma that is often associated with mental illness.

And now listed by date:

Sat., Feb. 19 and Sun., Feb. 20
NBC’s Owned & Operated Stations: 7-8pmThe 14 NBC stations of the NBC Universal Television Stations group will focus on the rising autism epidemic in a one-hour special.(Viewers should check their local program listings for individual airdates).Produced by KNBC in Los Angeles and hosted by anchor Michele Ruiz, the program will help educate viewers about the disorder and provide important information on possible causes, warning signs, treatments and therapies. The show also examines the enormous impact autism has on the entire family and documents one family's personal struggles, frustrations and triumphs as they care for their autistic son.

Monday, February 21
Today: (7am-10am)What is autism? Detection and the importance of early detection What causes autism?
MSNBC: (10:30am - 11am ET)Dr. Pat Levitt, director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research discusses advances in the treatment of autism.
Nightly News: (6:30pm-7pm ET)Robert Bazell reports on the reasons why autism has gone from a disorder no one knew of a few decades ago to an exploding emergency affecting 1.7 million Americans and their families.

Tuesday, February 22
Today: (7am-10am)The Autism diagnosis and how to set up a treatment team The Michael Marino story: When early intervention works
MSNBC: (10:30am-11amET)Lee Grossman, president & CEO of the Autism Society of America has a 17-year-old autistic son and shares his personal crusade in raising awarenessand funding for autism.
CNBC: Power Lunch (12:30pm) and Closing Bell (4:45pm)The Autism Double Whammy: Paying the emotional and financial price.
Nightly News: (6:30pm-7pm)Robert Bazell revisits a California family that responded to their son's diagnosis by taking on the scientific establishment to make autism research a national priority.

Wednesday, February 23
Today: (7am - 10am)Educational programs for treating children with autism How autism affects the family and siblings
MSNBC: (10:30am - 11am ET)Gloria and Patrick Fay, parents of twin 7-year-old autistic boys, share their personal story of living with autism.
CNBC: Power Lunch (12:30pm)and Closing Bell (4:45pm)Research and funding
Nightly News:(6:30pm-8pm)Robert Bazell reports on research at Yale University that reveals the inner workings of the minds of people with autism by watching where their eyes focus while watching human interactions in movies and videos.

Thursday, February 24
Today: (7am-10am)How to be an advocate for your child if they have autism knowing the law in your community, and getting it to work for you
MSNBC: (10:30am-11am ET)Actor Anthony Edwards, honorary board member of Cure Autism Now
CNBC: Power Lunch (12:30pm)Serving the growing population of autistic children
CNBC: Closing Bell (4:45pm)Vernon Smith, 2002 Nobel Laureate in Economics, discusses his personal challenges with Asperger Syndrome

Friday, February 25
Today:(7am-10am)Bob and Suzanne Wright announce their Public Awareness CampaignAdults with Autism
MSNBC: (10:30am -11am ET)NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright
CNBC: Power Lunch (12:30) and Closing Bell (4:45)
Vocational training for autistic teenagers
CNBC: Power LunchNBC Universal CEO Bob Wright announces new public awareness campaign

Saturday, February 26
Telemundo: (7pm-8pm)"Autismo: Epidemia Silenciosa?": The show will provide viewers with important information on the disorder and explain how families can seek treatment for their autistic children. KVEA anchor Lucia Navarro will serve as host of the program, which will also explore how the Hispanic community deals with autism and the social stigma that is often associated with mental illness.

Do yourself a favor, set "Autism" up to auto record on your Tivo wishlist.