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April Is Awareness Month for Autism pectrum !isorder

April is designated as National Autism Awareness Month, and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. These observances are intended to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders (A Ds!. According to the ". . #enters $or Disease #ontrol and %revention (#D#!, & in '' children in the "nited tates have A D, and the diagnosis is $ar more common among boys than girls. Despite autism being so common, many people do not (now e)actly what autism is. According to the #D#, A Ds are a group o$ developmental disabilities that cause social, communication and behavioral challenges. * pectrum+ re$ers to the wide range o$ symptoms and levels o$ impairment that those diagnosed with A Ds can have. The National ,nstitute o$ Mental -ealth lists $ive autistic spectrum disorders. autistic disorder (classic autism!, Asperger/s disorder (Asperger syndrome!, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise speci$ied (%DD0N1 !, 2ett/s disorder (2ett syndrome! and childhood disintegrative disorder (#DD!. 2esearch has yet to pinpoint the cause o$ A Ds, but studies suggest that both genes and environment are li(ely contributing $actors. Genes. Although $amily history does not seem to a$$ect or predict an A D diagnosis, once one sibling is diagnosed with an A D, other siblings have 34 times the usual ris( o$

also developing an A D. Environment. The environment includes anything surrounding your body that can a$$ect your health, including water, air, $ood, medications and other materials you may come in contact with. 5nvironmental in$luences on A Ds are still being researched, but various $actors may each play a small role in A D development. There has been some concern that childhood vaccines cause A Ds. Although there may be other un(nown causes o$ A Ds, the #D# states that there is no causal relationship between childhood vaccines and A Ds. everal regulatory bodies, including the #D#, continue to monitor vaccines $or sa$ety and e$$ectiveness. 5arly detection and diagnosis o$ an A D is essential $or providing the most e$$ective treatment. Ma(e sure an A D screening is part o$ your child6s wellness chec(ups.

Whether you choose an app, online calculator or automatic transfer, budgeting doesnt have to be painful.

"udget #ools: Ma$e It %asy

,$ you don6t en7oy crunching numbers and stic(ing to budgets, there are a variety o$ budgeting tools available that can help ma(e budgeting8and improving $inancial health8easy, and maybe even $un. Apps 9 5asy and convenient, an app on your mobile device can help you trac( your budgeting and savings goals. Many di$$erent apps are available8$or e)ample, Mint (www.mint.com! trac(s e)penses according to category, and #hec( (https.::chec(.me! helps you meet bills6 due dates. Online calculators 9 ;asic online budget calculators can help you see where your money goes. <ou can spend a $ew minutes entering numbers into budget categories to give yoursel$ a good overview o$ your $inances. imply search online $or *budget calculator+ to $ind a calculator that wor(s $or you. Automatic transfers The easiest way to increase your savings is to ma(e it automatic and painless. imply set up an automatic deposit to a savings account and then chec( in $rom time to time to see how a little bit each month can add up to great savings.

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&escue 'ld Produce

The bananas on the counter have turned brown, the apples are no longer crisp and the tomatoes have de$initely seen better days. <ou might be tempted to 7ust throw old, shriveled $ruits and vegetables in the trash or compost bin, but pause be$ore you do. 5ven when they6re past their prime, many $ruits and veggies can still be put to nutritious use. ,n some cases, older $ruit and veggies might even be better. Aor these delicious dishes, you won6t need any tools that you don6t already have sitting in your (itchen. Applesauce 9 Applesauce is made by coo(ing chopped apples in a small amount o$ water on the stovetop. immer and mash apples with a potato masher until they reach desired chun(iness. <ou can add strawberries, pears or other $ruits $or di$$erent $lavors, as well as cinnamon or a splash o$ vanilla. Breads 9 ;ananas, apples and Bucchini are 7ust a $ew o$ the $ruits and vegetables that can be incorporated into bread or ca(e recipes. Crate or mash and add to a more traditional recipe, or search $or a recipe that is built around a particular $ruit. hredded apple and Bucchini are also great panca(e additions. Pies 9 Traditionally, pies can be made with any type o$ $illing inside a pastry. "se a pre0made or homemade crust and mi) together a $ruit $illing with those so$t apples, berries or other $ruits. #hec( out a coo(boo( $or more ideas. Smoothies 9 Aor a cold, nutritious treat, blend a variety o$ $ruits and vegetables into smithereens. Any type o$ $ruit or vegetable can be thrown into the blender and churned into a cold treat. Alter the ratio o$ di$$erent $ruits, and try adding mil(, yogurt, ice, vanilla or honey to change up the $lavors.

"a$ed #rout
This $lavor$ul dish ta(es advantage o$ seasonal tomatoes and healthy $ish. Whether you buy $illets at the store or reel Lem in on a line, here6s a great recipe to celebrate spring. 2 lbs. trout $illets (or other $ish, cut into si) pieces! 3 tbsp. lime 7uice (or about 2 limes! & tomato (medium, chopped! &M2 onion (medium, chopped! 3 tbsp. cilantro (chopped! &M2 tsp. olive oil &M? tsp. blac( pepper &M? tsp. salt &M? tsp. red pepper (optional! %reheat oven to 34>N A. 2inse $ish and pat dry. %lace in ba(ing dish. ,n a separate dish, mi) remaining ingredients together and pour over $ish. ;a(e $or &4 to 2> minutes or until $or(0tender. <ield. K servings. 5ach serving provides 3>> calories, &3g o$ $at, &&>mg o$ cholesterol, 2>>mg o$ sodium and &g o$ $iber. ource. " DA

National %ar( Wee(

Are you bored with getting your e)ercise by strolling around the neighborhood or running at the local gymD The ". . National %ar( ervices has preserved vast pieces o$ American land that are the per$ect places to get outside and be active, whether it6s the ma7estic <ellowstone National %ar( in the West or the lesser0(nown ;ig ;end National %ar( in Te)as with its hundreds o$ bird species. The opening wee(end o$ National %ar( Wee( is April &E02>, and both days are get0in0$ree days. With great scenery and many options, you can choose a par( where you can en7oy a Fuiet stroll, a vigorous hi(e, a bi(e ride, or a horse ride. <ou can also $ind spots to go roc( climbing and swimming.

With more than ?>> spots around the nation, the national par(s are some o$ the best pieces o$ American nature and history. What better way to get your $amily outside and moving in the spring air than by visiting a national par(D #hec( out this lin( $or in$ormation on the Clade Top Trail in the Mar( Twain National Aorest near ;ransonG http.::www.$s.usda.gov:recarea:mtn$:recreation:ohv:recarea:D recidH2&II2JactidHK3

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April Healthy Living Question

Which gender is more li(ely to be stric(en with Autism pectrum Disorder, boys or girlsD end your correct answer to. in$oQa(ersandarney.com ;5A125 April 2& to Fuali$y $or the drawing $or a R24 gi$t card $rom your $riends at A(ers J Arney. #ongratulations to our March winner, #heryl Aord $rom the #ity o$ ;ranson 5ngineering Department, who won a R24 gi$t cardG

OA"C- T-52A%< O5NCT-5N O,A5

Aeeling rundownD Try laughing more. ome researchers thin( laughter 7ust might be the best medicine, helping you $eel better and putting that spring bac( in your step. P, believe that i$ people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better o$$,P says teve Wilson, MA, # %, a psychologist and laugh therapist. PThey might be healthier too.P (Webmd.com! At A(ers J Arney, we agreeG -ave you had a good chuc(le todayD

<our ,nsurance ,s 1nly As Cood As <our Agent

That6s why we ma(e sure our agents receive cutting edge in$ormation, and that6s why we remain the top independent agency in the region. ,n April, ;ill ;udnic(, ;usiness Development #oordinator and ales Manager, will be attending the it(ins 5)treme Networ(ing event in Atlanta, CA. A(ers J Arney is a $ounding member o$ it(ins ,nternational, a *private client group and membership program $or the top ,ndependent ,nsurance Agencies and ;ro(erages in the "nited tates, #anada, and Oatin America.+

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#heryl Aord poses with #51, David Arney, a$ter receiving her gi$t card. he correctly answered March6s -ealthy Oiving Suestion. *-ow many steps should you be ta(ing each day to insure a healthy youD+ The answer was. &>,>>> steps. Creat 7ob, #herylG