Hundreds of walkers, including individuals with autism, their families and friends, are expected to join together to raise much-needed funds for critical scientific research and to increase awareness about a growing health crisis that now affects 1 in every 150 children at the 8th Annual Long Island Walk Now for Autism on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 9:30 a.m. at Jones Beach State Park, Field 5, Wantagh. All proceeds from the event benefit Autism Speaks, the nation's leading autism advocacy organization.

Established in 2000, the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks and have attracted hundreds of thousands of walkers worldwide who have raised tens of millions of dollars for autism research. The 2006 Long Island Walk, attended by 20,000 people, raised more than $2 million. This year's goal is $2.4 million.

Toys "R" Us and the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund serve as the national sponsor of the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism program.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Another child is diagnosed every 20 minutes.