Easter Seals New Hampshire Highlights Services Available to Families Living with Autism Today- New CDC Report Illustrates Growing Autism Epidemic
(PRWEB) April 02, 2014 -- April is National Autism Awareness Month and Easter Seals NH is shining the spotlight on its Autism Support & Treatment Network for individuals living with autism, as is the case for more and more families. One in 68 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder, a 30% increase from 1 in 88 two years ago, according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates 1 in 42 boys have autism, 4.5 times as many as girls (1 in 189).
“It’s important to raise awareness about autism services and treatments available to families -- today,” says Gloria Fulmer, MAT, Director of Children’s Therapeutic Services, Easter Seals NH “Easter Seals is unique as one of the nation’s leading providers of services and support for children and adults living with autism.”
Easter Seals NH also provides autism services through their Easter Seals affiliates in Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.
Critical Need for Services
Every family living with autism faces unique challenges. The fact is individuals with autism face many road blocks that prevent them from getting the help they need today. The current systems, structures and resources to help people with autism and their families do not adequately meet the growing need:
- funding for research, therapy and services is largely inadequate;
- quality services—especially for adults—are limited;
- unemployment among adults with autism persists; and,
- general knowledge and understanding gaps about autism prevail.
“Services for children with autism who age out of the school system are critical. There is an urgent need for increased funding,” said Fulmer. “We want to help change all of this and make a difference for families living with autism today.”
There is Hope
While autism is a baffling, lifelong disability, it is treatable.
“People living with autism—at any age—are capable of making significant progress through personalized interventions and therapy; and, can and do lead meaningful lives,” says Fulmer.
A basic rule for treating autism is the earlier the intervention, the better. If parents are worried their child may have autism, they should follow their instincts, share their concerns with their pediatrician, get a diagnosis, and seek help from service providers such as Easter Seals. Autism is a lifelong spectrum disorder that affects each individual differently and in varying degrees – getting the right help at the earliest stage of life can help a child gain the skills he or she needs to be successful.
Easter Seals + Autism
Easter Seals is working nationally to provide help, hope and answers to families living with autism today by delivering personalized services and treatments. Easter Seals NH offers many different kinds of interventions to address the effects of autism by:
- Providing early intervention for very young children with developmental delays and autism
- Offering treatment through a variety of services including ABA services, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
- Providing diagnosis for autism and other neurological conditions for pediatrics
- Working with children with autism, supporting families to find an approach that deals with the whole child
- Supporting young adults, encouraging them to find meaningful employment and live independent lives
- Training and identifying employment opportunities for working-age adults with autism
- Offering structured day programs for older adults with autism
- Offering a network of support through our Facebook page: Easter Seals NH Family Autism Network
For more information about Easter Seals NH’s Autism Support and Treatment Network, please contact Gloria Fulmer at 603.621.3540 or gfulmer(at)eastersealsnh(dot)org.
Pamela Dube, Easter Seals New Hampshire, http://www.eastersealsnh.org, +1 6036213551, [email protected]
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