According to Autism Speaks, an autism science and advocacy organization, autism affects one in 88 children and “is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.” To help fund much-needed research, Cleveland, Ohio-based game manufacturer Heartland Consumer Products, LLC, marketer of the Square Shooters dice game, announces its campaign to support Autism Speaks.

For every “like” received on the Square Shooters page on Facebook during the month of April – National Autism Awareness Month – the company will donate $1 to the organization, up to $3,500. (Visit www.facebook.com/squareshooters)

Square Shooters is a multi-faceted game that launched in 2011, and consists of a full deck of cards printed on dice. A versatile game, users can choose to play the Square Shooters feature game; versions of other card games like rummy, 21, or poker; or even make up a new way to play.

”The game’s versatility is the key,” said Tom Donelan, Heartland’s president and CEO. “It can bring different ages and generations together. Play can be as simple as a matching game for kids or a game of chance for adults.”

Donelan’s oldest son Connor is a 19-year-old young man with autism. “Dice games are perfect for families who need fast-paced games that don’t require a lot of attention from every player. We accidentally found that the game fits our family’s particular play style when Connor picked up the dice and started playing—he’s not a big game player, but he enjoyed the fast action of Square Shooters,” said Donelan. “It’s by no means scientific evidence, but we believe—and hope—that other families affected by autism or other special needs will have a similar experience. Supporting autism is personal for us, and we’re excited to join the fight to fund research and give back to the autism community.”

Square Shooters is designed for one or more players ages 8 and up. The game is available at Walmart, Walgreens, Books-A-Million, and many independent toy/game retailers nationwide. For more information, visit squareshooters.com or like the Square Shooter’s page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/squareshooters.