AUTISM SPEAKS UNVEILS 100 DAY KIT, A UNIQUE RESOURCE FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM

AUTISM SPEAKS UNVEILS 100 DAY KIT, A UNIQUE RESOURCEFOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISMProviding Families with Connections to Resources and Support Services in Their CommunitiesNEW YORK, NY (February 29, 2008) -- Autism Speaks, the nation's largestautism advocacy organization, today announced the launch of its 100 DayKit, a personalized resource to assist families in getting through thecritical time following an autism diagnosis. In addition to receivingthe contents of the kit, which includes information about services andservice providers in a family's community, those who register will alsobe connected with a regional Autism Speaks Autism Response Team memberwho can provide further insight and guidance. A personalized version of the 100 Day Kit is available by visitinghttp://www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/100_day_kit.php<http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/100_day_kit.php>, where parents of a newly diagnosed child will be asked to fill out ashort survey. In response, an Autism Response Team coordinator willcontact the family to get additional information so that the 100 Day Kitcan be tailored to include resources specific to their child's age andlocation. The family will receive a binder with pertinent information,as well as contact information for an Autism Response Team coordinatorin their region who has been trained specifically to answer questionsthey may have. The turn-around time for a new kit will be approximately one week fromthe date of the initial request. Members of the Autism Response Teamwill follow up with families four months after they receive the 100 DayKit to see how they are doing, answer any questions they may have, andsolicit their feedback. Families may also download the text of the kitwithout registering - and without personalization - and use AutismSpeaks' Family Services Resource Guide to access local resourceinformation. The 100 Day Kit includes basic information about autism and dealing withthe news of a diagnosis. The personalized kit lists local serviceproviders, support groups, recreational activities, sources of legalinformation, conferences, local autism and disability organizations andinformation about the local chapter of Autism Speaks. It providesinsight into getting services for a newly diagnosed child and explainsvarious available treatment options. A week-by-week action plan helpswalk a family through the steps it needs to take to ensure that it is onthe right track. The kit also includes a glossary of terms associatedwith autism, as well as a safety plan and a list of recommended booksand informational web sites."When a child is diagnosed with autism, his or her parents are oftenleft feeling overwhelmed and confused about what to do next and where toturn for help," said Peter Bell, Autism Speaks Executive Vice Presidentfor Programs and Services. "This kit will be a valuable tool for thesefamilies and will help make the first few weeks and months afterdiagnosis a little less daunting.""Parents need to know that they are not alone," said Lisa Goring, AutismSpeaks Director of Family Services. "The 100 Day Kit and the AutismResponse Team will help families get informed, get organized and getconnected to important resources and support services in theircommunity."The 100 Day Kit was created by the Autism Speaks Family Services staffin conjunction with a professional advisory committee comprised oftwelve autism professionals, a parent advisory committee that includedparents from across the country, and members of the Autism Speaks FamilyServices Committee.About AutismAutism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability tocommunicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompaniedby extreme behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders arediagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting fourtimes as many boys as girls. The diagnosis of autism has increasedtenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control andPrevention have called autism a national public health crisis whosecause and cure remain unknown.About Autism Speaks Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrumdisorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention andtreatments for autism, and to advocating for the needs of individualswith autism and their families. It was founded in February 2005 bySuzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. BobWright is Vice Chairman, General Electric, and served as chairman andchief executive officer of NBC Universal for more than twenty years. Tolearn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org<http://www.autismspeaks.org/> .