E-SPEAKS NEWS UPDATES

e-Speaks || June 27, 2008
Autism Speaks Awards More than $4 Million in Treatment and Family Services Grants
Autism Speaks awarded 13 new grants in the field of treatment research, including six grants in complementary and alternative medicine. This research will help parents make informed choices for their family members at a time when treatment options for autism are far from standardized. In addition, the Board of Directors approved 21 grants for local community programs which will improve and enrich the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Read more about treatment grants here and see a complete list of grants awarded. Read summaries of funded community grants here and read a release about the program here.

Autism Speaks Names New Members to Scientific Advisory Committee
Autism Speaks has named nine new members to its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), a group of scientific and medical experts who will help shape Autism Speaks' strategic plan for science and research priorities. The SAC will be chaired by newly appointed member Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., the Chief Science Officer of Autism Speaks. Read more.

CTN Announces Two New Study Sites
Autism Speaks' Clinical Trials Network announced the addition of two new centers taking part in its on-going trial, the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA). The study will include more than 100 children and adolescents with autism to examine the effectiveness of Neuropharm's "melt-in-the-mouth" preparation of fluoxetine in reducing certain core symptoms of autism. Read more.

AutismCares Supports Families Affected by Midwest Floods
AutismCares, a consortium of leading autism organizations, is actively seeking to assist families affected by autism who are also victims of the Midwest Floods, and invites those families to call the Autism Response Team at 1-888-Autism2 or e-mail autismcares@autismspeaks.org to receive assistance. Families may also apply for support funding directly at autismcares.org. Those looking to assist the relief efforts can donate online. Read more.

IAN Reports on Regression
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN), which collects information via the Internet from families of children with autism spectrum disorders throughout the U.S., surveyed parents on regression in their children with ASD. In this report, IAN researchers share data on what parents have reported about the frequency and nature of skill losses and skill plateaus. Read more.


Weekend Walks Raise Over $1.7 Million
Six Walk Now for Autism events took place over the past two weekends, with more than 22,450 participants raising over $1.7 million. Read more and view photos and video from the Blair County, Dallas-Fort Worth, Hawaii, New York City, Southern New Jersey, and Vermont Walks.

10th Anniversary NY Celebrity Golf Challenge Raises More than $1 Million
Autism Speaks' 10th annual New York Celebrity Golf Challenge raised more than $1 million on June 16. The event, held at the renowned Winged Foot course in Mamaroneck, New York, brought out celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertainment, including season five "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks. Read more and view photos and video here.

Athletes Against Autism Golf Tournament Raises over $290,000


Over 30 athletes and celebrities raised more than $290,000 at this year's 3rd Annual Athletes Against Autism Golf Tournament, presented by Cadillac, at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, Calif. The tournament, which was held June 22-23, included a gala and silent auction, a number of on-course contests, and a BBQ Dinner & Awards reception. Read more and view photos and video here.


Ride Now Rolls into Seattle


Last weekend nearly 60 bikers gathered in Washington for that state's first ever Autism Now ING Direct Ride Now event, which raised almost $10,000. Riders from all over the greater Seattle area carried signs and wore bandanas, pins and shirts with the Autism Speaks logo to raise awareness throughout their two hour ride. Read more and view photos and video here.

Nantucket Film Festival Features Awareness Ads
For the third year in a row, the Nantucket Film Festival featured Autism Speaks public service advertisements, produced in conjunction with the Ad Council, which were screened prior to each feature film shown at the festival. In addition, the Nantucket Film Festival and NBC Universal renamed the Screenwriter's Tribute Award in honor Suzanne and Bob Wright, co-founders of Autism Speaks. Read more.

Hit the Beach with Autism Speaks!
Back by popular demand, the Autism Speaks beach tote and towel set will get you set for beach or poolside. The spacious tote with 32" shoulder straps has a light blue and navy contemporary design. The logoed front pocket has an integrated water bottle holder for easy access and the interior features a zippered pocket to keep contents secure. The white velour terry beach towel measures 28" x 52" and sports the Autism Speaks logo.


In Their Own Words: Can You Hear Me Now?
In our latest "In Their Own Words" essay, the older brother of a child with autism writes about his experience growing up with a sibling who needed a great deal of attention, and how his experiences led him to form a sibling support group. Read
more.
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IT WAS JUST A SIMPLE WALK!

Image by Farruska via FlickrIn a conversation today, with a friend, I remembered that I have always said, when people are “thinking or feeling” that others dislike them, or are talking about them or they believe they do not like them, this is what I think “unless you tell me that you do not like me, I will assume that you do.” I have always played that in my mind. I developed it a long time ago when I was trying to find “self-confidence” in myself. I find it funny now that I was actually looking for confidence in myself. If I was believing or thinking that others did not like me or were talking about me, then I was lost in “ego”. Most grow up believing that “ego” is a good thing about a person. Most have always believed that when a person has a good “ego” they have a good sense of themselves, they are confident, but, how do you have a good “ego” when the “ego” is what separates you from God. The “ego” is where you go when you are not “within“.

Being “within” is peace. I have been recovering from Agoraphobia which manifested as panic attacks. Funny, because Agoraphobia is a state of fear, as is anxiety. But “within” there is no “fear”, and there is also no “ego”. The simple fact that I know that is enough to separate myself from the “ego” and remain within. Quieting my mind.

I went out today for a power walk. Looking at me, you would never call it that. But, for me, the effort is great to actually do it. I was trapped in a mental illness for more than 4 years, that kept me confined to my home like a prisoner. I did not need locks on the door to keep me in, my mind was doing that quite well. The simple joy of taking a walk outside, something we all take for granted, was to me, today, the greatest blessing I could receive. When I was done walking I just stood and watched, practicing not labeling my vision. What peace, what joy….and to think, it was just a simple walk.