Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

Autism Light #364 is Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), is a non-profit organization located in Sydney, Australia. They were founded in 1969 by a passionate group of autism parents and today are the largest provider of services to individuals with autism in Australia, helping 10,000 people each year. Autism Spectrum Australia is an Autism Light for the light they shine for autism in Australia through their direct services with individuals with autism and for their creative and effective efforts at raising public awareness of autism.

Values: The following is the values and mission of Autism Spectrum Australia as shared on the Aspect Website.

"At Aspect we are passionate about people, about being positive and about what's possible. We are committed to providing the best opportunities for people at home, in the classroom and at work. We are single-minded in our pursuit to make life better for people living with autism and we are devoted to making connections that help us to better understand people’s needs and wants (Aspect Website)."

The following is a video that gives an overview of the extensive work and programs of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).

A Different Brilliant Campaign was launched by Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) in November, 2014. People are encouraged to watch and share the "A Different Brilliant" video that Aspect created. If you are sharing on Twitter or other social media that uses hashtags please use the hashtag #adifferentbrilliant.

Post by Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).

Social Media: You can follow the work of Autism Spectrum Australia at the following social media areas:

• Facebook Page for Autism Spectrum Australia
• Google+ Page for Autism Spectrum Australia
• Twitter @AspectAustralia
• YouTube Channel for Autism Spectrum Australia

Contact: To contact Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) use the following means.

• Phone: 1-800-ASPECT (277328)
• Email: customerservice@autismspectrum.org.au
• Mail: PO Box 361, Forestville, Sydney, Australia 2086
• Website: www.autismspectrum.org.au
• Webform: www.autismspectrum.org.au/forms/contact-us

If you would like to donate to Autism Spectrum Australia there are online ways to support them.

Special thanks to Autism Spectrum Australia for their dedication to changing the lives of individuals with autism in Australia. May they continue to shine a light for autism and grow as an organization. 

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Pentru Voi Foundation

Autism Light #337 is the Pentru Voi Foundation.

The Pentru Voi Foundation is a non governmental organization that was established in 1995 in Timisoara, Romania to support people with intellectual disabilities. The Pentru Voi Foundation is the first Autism Light from the country of Romania. The Pentru Voi Foundation is an Autism Light for their efforts on behalf of those with Autism in Romania.

Mission: The mission of Pentru Voi is "to increase the quality of life for persons with intellectual disabilities and their families (Vimeo Channel of Pentru Voi)."

2012 FlashMob in Iulius Mall: The Pentru Voi Foundation organized a FlashMob for April 2, 2012 for Autism Awareness Day that performed in the Iulius Mall in Timisoara, Romania. The Timisoara Zumba Club collaborated on this FlashMob for Autism Awarness.

2008 Project: "In 2008 Pentru Voi project 'Different Together' received Romanian top award at the civil Society Gala. It is the first time the award goes to an organization from Timisoara, and also the first time when it is won by an organization for people with intellectual disabilities (Pentru Voi Foundation Wikipedia Page)."

Website: You can read more about the Pentru Voi Foundation at their website at www.pentruvoi.ro.

Wikipedia: You can read more about Pentru Voi Foundation at the Pentru Voi Foundation Wikipedia Page. Social Media: You can follow the Pentru Voi Foundation on the following social media areas.

• Pentru Voi Foundation on Facebook
• Twitter @PentruVoi
• Vimeo Channel of Pentru Voi
• YouTube Channel of Pentru Voi

Special thanks to the Pentru Voi Foundation for their efforts to serve individuals with disabilities in Romania. Those with autism in Romania are blessed to have Pentru Voi Foundation shining their light.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Kidzcare

Autism Light #327 is Kidzcare.

Kidzcare is a non government organization that created the world's first autistic choir comprised of children from the Autism Society of Malaysia. The choir performed at the Dewan Fiharmonik Petronas, Kuala Lumpur on June 28, 2010, in order to raise awareness of autism in their homeland. Kidzcare is an Autism Light for how their leadership with this autistic choir helped raise awareness of autism in Malaysia. Kidzcare becomes the first Autism Light to come out of Malaysia.

The choir's hours of practice were in preparation for a successful performance in front of dignitaries and officials at Dewan Fiharmonik PETRONAS on June 28, 2010, that included as honored guest the Prime Minister of Malaysia's wife, Datain Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor.  Brian John Yim wrote a song for the choir and directed the 25 member choir through six months of practice. The following is a video of the song the autistic choir sang called, Show Me the Way.



Adam Feinstein explains this about the history of Kidzcare:

Kidzcare, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, was started in 2010 by a group of individuals interested in helping children in need, and a desire to make Malaysia known as a caring country for kids. They recognised that there were inadequate facilities for children with disabilities in Malaysia and that they could make a positive difference to the lives of Malaysian children who have some form of disability (Adam Feinstein, 'World's First Autistic Choir' Formed, Looking Up, Volume 5, No. 4).

The advertising company Lowe & Partners sponsored the project as part of their 50th Anniversary. The following is a documentary on autism in Malaysia and the achievement of the Kidzcare autistic choir to raise awareness among corporate and government leaders in Malaysia.

Mike Plascow, Kidzcare Foundation's founder said, “The choir demonstrated that people with learning disabilities are gifted and it is a matter of giving them opportunities to realise their full potential (Adam Feinstein, 'World's First Autistic Choir' Formed, Looking Up, Volume 5, No. 4)."

For more information on the autistic choir of Kidzcare read Adam Feinstein's article 'World's First Autistic Choir' Formed in Looking Up, Volume 5, No. 4). Adam Feinstein was Autism Light #321.

 

Special thanks to Kidzcare for organizing the world's first autistic choir. We honor Kidzcare in this post, and also recognize that the choir could not have happened without the collaberation of many entities such as The Autism Society of Malaysia, Lowe & Partners, Brian John Yim, and Mike Plascow. The acomplishment of this choir is a testimony in Malaysia and to all of the autism community around the world about the potential of children with autism.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

AutismCares

Autism Light #238 is AutismCares.

AutismCares is a consortium of organizations that has been helping individuals with autism during times of both natural disasters and personal crisis since 2005.  They focus on helping anywhere a disaster occurs and recently they have been working to help victims with autism who were in the path of Hurricane Sandy.

According to their website, the mission of AutismCares is this.

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AutismCares is a consortium of leading autism organizations who have come together to support individuals with autism and their families during natural disasters and other catastrophic life events (Source).

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AutismCares' first national press release was in 2005 as a response to Hurricane Katrina (Source).  Here was a PSA's for AutismCares uploaded in 2007 on YouTube.


Partners: AutismCares 2012 partners include Autism Speaks, Doug Flutie Foundation, Talk About Curing Autism, FedEx, and the Lisa Higgins Foundation.

AutismCares provides information, resources, and grants to individuals with autism who have a need during a time of crisis. One may register online to apply for a grant at the AutismCares application login page.  AutismCares has the following notice on their website where people may go for more information.

The Autism Speaks Autism Response Team is taking calls from families affected by autism and Sandy. Trained staff (both English and Spanish speaking) are available to provide support and to direct callers to information, resources and assistance. Families can call the Autism Response Team at 1-888-288-4762, En Español at 888-772-9050, or email familyservices@autismspeaks.org.

If your family requires access to disaster help and resources: please visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call (800) 621-3362. If there is an emergency, please call 911. (Source)

For more information on the work of AutismCares visit their website at http://www.autismcares.org.

AutismCares is available not just during a disaster but also during castrophic life events for families with autism. Families facing foreclosure or having emergency needs for things like car repairs have been helped. You can read several testimonies of people helped by AutismCares on their website.  Here is one testimony.

"I wanted to send a note of thanks for giving us much needed help through Autism Cares. It hardly seems enough. The money you sent is going to help us more than you can imagine. We so appreciate Autism Cares and your ability to help those with autism and their families." - LA (Source).

Special thanks to AutismCares and all of it's partners who are helping meet needs for those with autism in times of disasters or personal need. They are truly a light and Hurricane Sandy has reminded us how much they are needed.

Note: There are many other organizations/foundations that have the resources to support people with autism in times of disaster or crisis. They may focus on a specific local, regional, or national area or target a specific group of families, such as military families. In the future Autism Light hopes to share about other organizations that are doing good work and following in the spirit of AutismCares to help those with autism in such needy times.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

North Dakota Autism Center

Autism Light #223 is the North Dakota Autism Center. 

The North Dakota Autism Center, Inc. is a nonprofit (501c3)organization located in Fargo, North Dakota. They are serving the autism commnity through their AuSome Kids Day Care Program, AuSome Kids Early Intervention Program, and school consultation. They are an Autism Light because these services help children with autism in North Dakota and make a difference in their young lives.

AuSome Kids is the name the North Dakota Autism Center has claimed for their day care programs and it is indicative of the value they place on children with autism.  According to their website the mission of the North Dakota Autism Center is:

To help children affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to reach their full potential through excellence in care, instruction and support (Source).

Here is a video about the work of the North Dakota Autism Center, Inc.


North Dakota Autism Resources: A list of related links to autism services in North Dakota is available on the website of the North Dakota Autism Center.

Fundraiser: On September 8, 2012, the North Dakota Autism Center will host their Walk for Autism 2012. More information is available on their website.

Contact:  For more information on the North Dakota Autism Center email them at info@ndautismcenter.org or visit their facilities at 4733 Amber Valley Parkway Suite 200, Fargo, ND 58104.

Social Media: You can follow the North Dakota Autism Center on the following social media:

• Facebook
• YouTube Channel

Special thanks to the North Dakota Autism Center for being an Autism Light for families in North Dakota. If you live near Fargo, North Dakota there are plenty of opportunities to be involved in this charity. The awesome efforts of this organization, their staff, board, and community partners have given the North Dakota Autism Center the distinction of being the first Autism Light from the state of North Dakota.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Gateways: Access to Jewish Education

Autism Light #110 is Gateways: Access to Jewish Education.

Gateways: Access to Jewish Education is an organization located in Boston, Massachusetts.  It was created in 2006 when Etgar L'Noar and The Jewish Special Education Collaborative merged to work together in service to Jewish children with disabilities, including autism. Gateways: Access to Jewish Education is an Autism Light because they are providing important opportunities for Jewish children with autism to learn their faith and traditions. 

It is noteworthy that Gateways was named one of the top 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits in the United States. In the Fall of 2010 they received a grant from the Slingshot Fund. The following is a musical video students at Gatways submited to JewishBoston.com about why it is great to be Jewish and live in Boston. It won 2nd place. 

Arlene Remz is the Executive Director of Gateways: Access to Jewish Education. According to their website their mission is, "to ensure that Jewish children with a full range of learning styles, abilities and challenges succeed academically, socially, and spiritually to their fullest potential." For more information on Gateways: Access to Jewish Education visit their website at http://jgateways.org/.

The following is the story of a boy named Ethan who was in the Gateways program. This presentation is when Ethan had his Bar-Mitzvah.

Social Media: You can follow Gateways: Access to Jewish Education at the following social media areas.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube Channel

Special thanks to Gateways: Access to Jewish Education for being a light for Jewish children with autism to work out their faith. Mazel tov!

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photo: The logo with this post is used with the permission of Gateways: Access to Jewish Education.

ACT Today! For Military Families

Autism Light #82 is ACT Today! For Military Families.

Today is Veteran's Day in the United States and in honor of military veterans today's Autism Light is a charitable organization that helps military families cope with autism. ACT Today! For Military Families is based in Tarzana, California.  It is a special campaign of ACT Today (Autism Care and Treatment Today), which was founded in 2005.  Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson has served as the Executive Director of ACT Today for the past 3 years. ACT Today! For Military Families is an Autism Light because of the difference their grants are making for military families that are dealing with autism.

1 in 88 children from military families in the United States have autism. This is 12% higher than the national average (1 in 100).  The following is a video about the work of ACT Today! For Military Families that features the campaign's theme song, "Maybe Tomorrow" by Robbin Thompson.

Below is an inspirational video that shares the real life stories of three of the families that have been touched positively by the support from today's Autism Light, ACT Today! For Military Families.

Contact: To contact ACT Today! For Military Families you can call 877-9ACT-TODAY or email info@act-today.org.

Donate: You can donate directly to ACT Today! For Military Families through their online system at https://www.acttodayformilitaryfamilies.org/templates/inside/donatenow.aspx.

Events:  On April 7, 2012 ACT Today! For Military Families will hold their 2nd Annual Walk/Run and Family Festival in San Diego, California.

Social Media:  You may follow ACT Today! For Military Families through the ACT Today social media areas.

• YouTube
• Twitter
• Facebook

For more information on ACT Today! For Military Families visit their website at www.acttodayformilitaryfamilies.org.  Military families may apply for an autism grant at this link.

As a parent of a child with autism I know the pressures are tremendous, but I can not imagine the added stress that our military families go through with having to adjust to frequent relocation (and changes of service providers for their autistic children) and the separation of one of the parents from the family because of deployment overseas.  On this Veterans Day we say thank you to our military families. And thank you to ACT Today! For Military Families for being an Autism Light to these well deserving and needy military families.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Jewish Autism Trust

Autism Light #68 is the Jewish Autism Trust.

The Jewish Autism Trust is a charitable organization located in London, England in the area known as Edgeware. The Jewish Autism Trust is an Autism Light because of the work they do to support people with autism in the Jewish community in London.

According to their website, the mission of the Jewish Autism Trust is to "exchange ideas and experiences and to give each other mutual support."  It is aim is to help those in the Jewish community who are touched by autism. They meet once a month in members homes and offer encouragement through special speakers, special events, and ongoing email communication.

Special Speakers:  One of the ways they accomplish their mission is through arranging for special speakers to give sessions of interest to the autism community. The Jewish Autism Trust has training program on autism in 2011 included the following:

• Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Condition
• Autism and Sensory Issues
• Sex and the Autism Spectrum

For more information on their training programs visit the training section of their website.

Special Events:  The Jewish Autism Trust sponsors monthly activities for its members. These include social events and autism related seminars. On December 11, 2012 there will be a Chanukah Party.  For more information visit the event section of their website.

To find out more details about the Jewish Autism Trust visit their website.  Special thanks to the Jewish Autism Trust for supporting those with autism in the Jewish community in the London, England area and being an excellent model for how an autism organization that is faith-based can reach out to its community. It seems that their model could be applied to other groups around the world.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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This Autism Light post went into syndication at Autisable.

Felicity Nyambura Ngungu

Autism Light #61 is Felicity Nyambura Ngungu.

Felicity Nyambura Ngungu is a Founder member of the Autism Society of Kenya and has served as its Director and Chief Executive Officer since 2000. Felicity Nyamburu Ngungu has a grandson with autism.

Felicity Nyambura Ngungu is a graduate of Sussex Institute of Economics and Management. She majored in Marketing, Nutrition, and Oral Health and worked for 23 years for East Africa Industries (which is now Unilever Kenya) doing demonstrations on nutrition and health.

She has traveled to two other continents of the world to learn about autism and she is passionately dedicated to do all she can to help the Autism Society of Kenya make a difference for people living with autism in Kenya. Felicity Nyamburu Ngungu is an Autism Light because of her leadership and development of the Autism Society of Kenya.

On September 9, 2003 the Autism Society of Kenya opened up a program in the City Primary School in Ngara. The Autism Society of Kenya describes their program on their Website in the following way:

The core of our autism program is a nutritional program, which runs concurrently with an appropriate and highly structured educational program. Dietary intervention is one of the therapies, which has shown consistent positive results in the management of a child with Autism. Intensive occupational and educational program incorporating principles of behavior modification must accompany this.

The Autism Society of Kenya has an excellent website at www.autismsocietyofkenya.org. The Website has information on the organization's activities and some helpful information to families living with autism in Kenya. They have an Information Portal and also have a separate section for Dietary Interventions. The following is a video that the Autism Society of Kenya has put together and features on their Website.

The Autism Society of Kenya also has an excellent Facebook Group you can join to stay informed of their activities.

Special thanks to Felicity Nyambura Ngungu for spreading light and hope for those who have autism in Kenya. Felicity's hard work for autism in Kenya is a tremendous blessing to the cause of autism in Kenya and she is a bright and shining light in the global autism community.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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This Autism Light post went into syndication at Autisable.

Lisa Ackerman

Autism Light #23 is Lisa Ackerman.

Lisa Ackerman is making a tremendous difference for autism most visibly through the organization she founded called Talk About Curing Autism. She founded it in 2000 as a parent support group after her son Jeff was diagnosed with autism. Today it helps several thousand families a year with chapters in 18 states.

This YouTube video shows a bit about the families that are helped by TACA and includes Lisa Ackerman in it.

Lisa Ackerman is an Autism Light because of her many accomplishments to the autism community. Here are a few highlights.

• She is the mother of a teenager named Jeff who has autism.
• She founded Talk About Curing Autism. 
• She posts inspirational posts on the Talk About Curing Autism "Real Help Now" Blog.   
• In 2010 she won the Age of Autism's Person of the Year Award. 

Special thanks for the valuable contributions of Lisa Ackerman, an Autism Light.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. 


Photo: Photo in this post used with permission of Lisa Ackerman.

Dr. Barbara Firestone

Autism Light #14 is Dr. Barbara Firestone.  

Dr. Barbara Firestone

Dr. Barbara Firestone is the President & CEO of The Help Group.  The focus of her organization is on helping children and families with special needs.  What started in 1975 has branched into a group of related agencies, including seven schools located in the greater Los Angeles area.  You can read a more thorough biography of Barbara Firestone at www.autismheroes.org/author.php. Below is a YouTube video that describes more of the powerful school resources at The Help Group and an appreciation to Hasbro's help.

Barbara Firestone is an Autism Light because of all she has done for the cause of autism in Los Angeles and around the world.  In addition to being founder and CEO of The Help Group, in 2007 she published a book called Autism Heroes: Portraits of Families Meeting the Challenge. This book tells the stories of 38 diverse families who face the challenges of raising a child with autism. The cheapest place to purchase the book is from her website called Autism Heroes.  All proceeds from the sale of the book go to The Help Group.


Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. 


Photo: Photo in this post used with permission of The Help Group.

Diane Soucy

Autism Light #3 is Diane Soucy

Diane Soucy founded the ADL Center after discovering her son Matthew had autism.  She now serves as the President of the ADL Center. Diane Soucy is leading ADL into new and innovative services to those with autism.  ADL stands for "Activities for Daily Living".

Diane Soucy writes this in her story on her website about being an autism mother, "I worked almost as hard as my Matthew to educate myself and get him the services he desperately needed. It was no easy battle, but it is paying off. Matthew has made steady progress, and makes tiny gains everyday. Along his journey is his family, for the roller coaster ride. Quite frankly, sometimes we, in turn, want to get off. But there is no getting off; we're on it for the journey."

Diane Soucy was interviewed on Comcast Newsmakers for a past Autism Awareness Month and the following video was produced about her.

Pepsi Refresh Project:  They have competed for several Pepsi Refresh Project fundraisers.

• In January, 2011 they competed for a $250,000 grant to operate their program. 
• In June, 2011, the ADL Center competed for a $25,000 grant to provide Swimming Lessons for Kids with Autism and their Siblings who live in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Teaching swimming lessons will enhance the lives of many people. 

The following is a news story about a fundraiser the ADL Center had.

Social Media: Fund out more about the ADL Center and Diane Soucy's work at these social media places.

• Facebook for Activities for Daily Living Center
• Twitter @ADLCenter

Special thanks to Diane Soucy for making a difference for autism. Diane's Soucy holds the distinction of being the very first autism mother to be featured on the Autism Light blog. 

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. 

Photo: Photo in this post used with permission of Diane Soucy.