As the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, I want to issue a challenge to those in the sports media: spread autism awareness.

Over the last 48 hours, I have seen mainstream and alternative media rise to this occasion since I made it known publicly that one of our sons has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (see details here at When Sports Becomes a Small Matter: A Child and Autism).

Those outlets and individuals include:

• Tim Lemke of the Washington Times (Helping Autism Research)
• Carolyn Hastings with the Cleveland Plain Dealer (A Sports Autism Challenge)
• Darren “Repoz” Viola at Baseball Think Factory
• David Pinto at Baseball Musings
• Sportsthodoxy
• John Brattain at Baseball Digest Daily
• Dave Rouleau at Baseball Digest Daily
• Craig Calcaterra at Shysterball
• NESW Sports
• Fang’s Bites
• Brew Crew Ball
• Pete Toms on Baseball Geek

I have also been overwhelmingly touched by personal stories from those with ASD, or parents and family members of someone with ASD, and the well wishes from colleagues and readers. With each correspondence, I have become more educated, and inspired. "Thanks" seems to fall far short of what they mean to our family.

Here is my challenge… Post the following info, or if space does not permit, link to this article. In doing so, you help spread the word about autism and allow parents to get their child diagnosed as early as possible. Remember, my son is Travis. While he will grow up with ASD, he is an individual, as all are that are touched by ASD. I hope you will take up this challenge:

The following information comes by way of the Autism Society of America:

• 1 out of 150 children in U.S.
• 1 out of 90 boys
• Affects four times as many boys as girls
• Lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism: $3.5 to $5 million
• Current annual cost to U.S.: $35 billion
• Estimated annual cost by 2010: $90 billion
• 1.5 million Americans affected

All my best,
Maury Brown
Founder and President
Business of Sports Network
Bizball LLC

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