BOSTON – Suffolk women's hockey will stay activate throughout the month of April. In recognition of April as Autism Awareness Month, the Rams have pledged to be active for at least 1.54 miles to represent the 1 in 54 children in America are diagnosed with Autism every year.  

The initiative is to bring awareness to the disease and help establish an environment where one is accepted for their abilities and not their disabilities. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder that involves abnormal development and function of the brain. People with autism show decreased social communication skills and restricted or repetitive patters of behaviors or interests.  

According to Autism Speaks, a leading national organization on advocacy, ASD now affects about 1.8 percent of Americans. Over the years, the numbers of individuals diagnosed with ASD has increased.  

In 2020, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  

To represent that statistic, Suffolk women's hockey has promised to be active, whether running, walk, roller blading, etc., for 1.54 miles every Friday throughout the month of April.  

This is not the first time Taylor Wasylk's Rams have brought attention to the disease. In the program's first season, 2018-19, Suffolk traded its blue-and-gold sweaters for puzzle piece jerseys in a third-jersey game to benefit and show support to the valuable work many organizations do for all with ASD.