| Autism Speaks e-Speaks contactus@autismspeaks.org via sm1.kintera.com | Thu, Jun 11, 2009, 11:24 PM |  | |
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e-Speaks || June 12, 2009 New Online Resource Created to Aid First RespondersAutism Speaks today launched the Autism Safety Project, an online tool kit for individuals with autism, families, and first responders that provides information and strategies to promote safety in emergency situations. The kit was created to educate and inform emergency personnel about the different challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum. Read more and view the free tool kit here.  Expert Think Tank Focuses on Needs of Adults with Autism Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism, a national consortium seeking to create meaningful futures for adults with autism, gathered a panel of experts from the public and private sector for a Think Tank focused on housing, employment and community integration. The panel identified gaps in services and laid out strategies for filling them. The Think Tank, held on January 23-24 in New York City, discussed ideas on how to address these areas effectively and has now issued a report summarizing its recommendations. Read more and access the report here.June Walks Start Strong, Raise Over $1.71 Million The first Walk Now for Autism events of June, held in Altoona, Penn., Oklahoma City, New Britain, Conn., Ontario, Canada and Purchase, N.Y., set the pace for a successful month ahead, with more than 30,000 people participating and raising over $1.71 million. Read more and view photos here.  Autism Centers of Excellence and Autism Speaks Announce the Most Comprehensive Study of Early Risk Factors for Autism A network of leading autism researchers from three regions across the country has launched one of the largest research studies of its kind to investigate early risk factors for autism spectrum disorders. The network, called the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI), is considered one of the best-equipped to discover biological markers and environmental risk factors for autism due to its elevated autism risk pregnancy cohort, wide-ranging data collection with extensive bio-sampling, length of time it follows pregnant women and their babies, and multi-disciplinary team of expert investigators. Read more. iCARE Studies Prevalence and Risk Factors of Autism Around the World In early 2009, Autism Speaks awarded more than $1 million over three years to the International Collaboration for Autism Registry Epidemiology (iCARE). This one-of-a-kind research endeavor will study the prevalence and risk factors of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) around the world. Unique in its approach to autism research is its use of pooled data from the national health registries of six international sites including Australia, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Israel. Read more. NASCAR “Autism Speaks 400 presented by Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips and Cheese” Raises Funds and Awareness The “Autism Speaks 400 presented by Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips and Cheese” NASCAR race, which was won by Jimmie Johnson on May 31, 2009 at Dover International Speedway, benefited Autism Speaks for the third year in a row. The race not only raised funds from fan donations, but it also generated tremendous awareness for autism and Autism Speaks programs. Read more and view photos here.  Jewelers for Children Commits $225,000 to Autism Speaks Jewelers for Children (JFC), a non-profit charitable organization representing jewelry manufacturers and retailers, has designated Autism Speaks to be among its “legacy charities.” Autism Speaks joins Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and Court Appointed Special Advocates as organizations that will partner with JFC during the year and receive the bulk of JFC’s annual fundraising efforts. For 2009, JFC has committed $225,000 in support of Autism Speaks’ Toddler Treatment Network, a research program aimed at developing therapies for very young children diagnosed with autism. Read more. Autism Speaks Co-Founders Honored With Servitor Pacis Award Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright were honored with the Servitor Pacis (Servant of Peace) Award on Tuesday, June 9 at the United Nations Headquarters by the Path to Peace Foundation, in recognition of their ongoing work to help families and individuals who live with autism every day. Read more.  Nevada, Colorado, and Connecticut Enact Autism Insurance Laws  Autism Speaks joins families in Nevada, Colorado, and Connecticut in applauding the states’ legislators and governors for enacting autism insurance reform laws. There are now thirteen states in the country that have passed laws requiring health insurance companies to provide coverage of medically necessary autism therapies, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. Learn more about the Nevada, Colorado, and Connecticut laws at AutismVotes.org. Treat Your Dad to a Unique Gift from the Online Store Celebrate Father’s Day and promote autism awareness with a special gift for dad from the Autism Speaks online store. Items perfect for fathers include ties (three new designs for ’09), puzzle piece cufflinks and golf attire. Order now from the Autism Speaks online store to receive in time for June 21.  In Their Own Words: Turning Tragedy into Hope  In our latest “In Their Own Words” essay, a mother tells how having a son with autism positively affected her family’s dynamic and brought out the best in his siblings. She explains how his untimely passing allowed them to help find a cure for autism, through the Autism Tissue Program, showing that hope can come from tragedy. Read more.Coming Soon June 13 Iowa Walk Now for Autism (West Des Moines, Iowa) Southern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism (Mount Laurel, N.J.) Hawaii Walk Now for Autism (Honolulu, Hawaii) Colorado Springs Walk Now for Autism (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Pittsburgh Walk Now for Autism (Pittsburgh, Penn.) June 14 New York City Walk Now for Autism (New York, N.Y.) June 15 11th Annual NY Celebrity Golf Challenge (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) June 22 Hey! You Aren’t the Boss of Me! Celebrity Golf Classic (Aurora, Ill.)  Donate Now | Contact Us |
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