OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Stevenson University men's basketball team will be partnering with Autism Speaks during their game Saturday against Alvernia.

As part of Coaching Powering Forward, Stevenson along with men's basketball teams across all three divisions, will be supporting Autism Speaks.

Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all people with autism throughout their lifespan. We do this through advocacy, services, supports, research and innovation, and advances in care for autistic individuals and their families.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. A combination of genetic and environmental factors influences the development of autism, and autism is often accompanied by medical issues such as gastrointestinal disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. Autism affects 1 in 36 children in the U.S.

Coaches Powering Forward is an annual initiative bringing the NCAA community together to champion the mission of Autism Speaks. In the past decade, over 7,000 Autism Speaks puzzle piece pins have been distributed to coaches, staff, and broadcasters, fostering inclusivity during games. United through Autism Speaks and the autism community, the inspiring Coach Pat Skerry of the Towson Tigers men's basketball team and Coach Colleen Mullen of the UAlbany Great Danes women's basketball team lead the program, connected by personal experiences of having children on the spectrum.