PSAs address childhood autism among African-Americans, Hispanics

NEW YORK — The Ad Council and Autism Speaks have launched a series of public service announcements encouraging awareness about autism among African-American and Hispanic parents.

The groups announced the new series, part of the "Learn the Signs" campaign, which they have launched under a partnership with advertising agency BBDO New York and LatinWorks. Research has indicated that autism is often diagnosed later among children in African-American and Hispanic communities than in others, they said.

A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1-in-50 school-aged children was on the autism spectrum, suggesting its prevalence may be underestimated, and diagnoses of the condition have increased 78% in the past six years.