Today, April 2, is a day designated worldwide to raise awareness and research money to explore the increasing issue of autism. If you miss today, however, don't despair. The whole month of April is designated Autism Awareness Month.

The Autism Speaks website is encouraging people to post on the website and Facebook page how they celebrated today and what events are planned for special fundraising.

Autism has been in the headlines a lot recently since the Center for Disease Control released a report finding a 78 percent rise in the number of autism cases in the United States. According to the CDC, by 2008 one in 88 children in the U.S. was diagnosed with some form of autism. This is nearly double the number of one in 150 in 2007.

If you want to celebrate Autism Awareness Day, but don’t have an event planned, donating to local Autism group Families of Autism/Aspergers Syndrome, Care, Educate, Support (F.A.C.E.S.) would be a great way to do it. The organization offers a summer camp every year specifically for those in the community diagnosed with autism.