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Press Release
One Voice for Autism Rally
Place: South Steps of the
Time:
For more information, contact: Dana Wisdom, e-mail,
ddwisdom@earthlink.net
Valerie Jacobsen, Phone 925-371-8266, e-mail,
jacobsen5@msn.com
or Barbie Dunham e-mail ctlautism@aol.com
F.E.A.T. and Unlocking Autism, with the support of
the Autism Society of
in
The event has been planned to raise awareness for Autism
Spectrum Disorders
and the growing number of children afflicted in
article written by Rick Rollens of
the MIND Institute and F.E.A.T., the
latest figures released by the California Department of
Developmental
Services shows that in 2002,
the number of new children professionally diagnosed with
the most severe
cases of autism. This represents a record number of new
cases in the system's
33-year history: 3,577 children with severe autism
were added to the system
in the past 12 months.
The figures reported by the department DO NOT include
persons with PDDNOS
(Pervasive Developmental Disorder not other wise
specified), Asperger's, or
any other autism spectrum disorders. As of January 2003,
there are now 20,377
cases of level one autism. On average in
are professionally diagnosed with level one autism, the
most severe form.
This rally will bring together the autism community
and its leaders,
researchers, and parents to stand together in one cause, raising
awareness
for the growing epidemic of Autism Spectrum Disorders
and gather support for
children and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The partial list of speakers includes:
Rick Rollens, F.E.A.T., The MIND Institute and Autism Society of
Jeff Sell, 1st Vice President of the Autism Society
of
the ASA’s Government Relations
Committee and Texas State Representative for
Unlocking Autism
Dean Wilson, President of the Autism Society of
Nancy Fellmeth, F.E.A.T.
Dr. Blythe Corbett, The MIND
Institute
Valerie Jacobsen, Unlocking Autism
Barbie Dunham, Unlocking Autism
Lenny Schafer, author of the Schafer report
Lisa Ackerman, TACA
(If time allows, additional speakers from the
audience will be taken)
The Autism Society of California is sponsoring an
Autism Coalition for the
state of
representatives from parent run organizations specific to autism
throughout
the State. The goal of the coalition is to brainstorm,
organize and create
options to better serve the autism community through
legislation, advocacy,
and education, to truly become "One Voice for
Autism."
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.