MORE MONEY FOR AUTISM $160,000 and NO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORIES

Charles Lafitte Foundation Announces $160,000 in Grants to Fund Autism Research and Educational Programs at The University of Washington in Seattle

WHAT ABOUT WARNING THE PUBLIC THAT PATERNAL AGE OVER 32-33 INCREASES THE RISK OF NON-FAMILIAL SPORADIC AUTISM?

BRIELLE, N.J., May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Charles Lafitte
Foundation (http://www.charleslafitte.org), a philanthropic organization
committed to providing support for education, children's advocacy, medical
research and issues, and the arts, today announced the final installment of
grants totaling $160,000 to autism research and educational programs at the
University of Washington in Seattle. The University's Autism Center was
awarded $60,000 and the Experimental Education Unit (EEU) received
$100,000.
Autism is a neurological disability that affects normal development of
social interaction and communication skills. The University of Washington
has made great strides in the study and treatment of autism, which,
according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affects 1 in
150 births nationwide. Approximately 1.5 million Americans have been
identified as having an autism spectrum disorder, which encompasses the
varied symptoms and levels of functioning experienced by people living with
autism.
The University's Autism Center offers a variety of assessments and
intervention services for children from infancy through adolescence with
autism spectrum disorders. The Center is dedicated to improving the lives
of individuals with autism through intervention, education, professional
training, and research aimed at effective treatments, prevention and cure.
Due to the high cost of interventions for children with autism, which are
not covered by insurance, families are often unable to meet their
children's needs. The $60,000 grant from the Foundation will directly aid
families by helping them afford these vital services.
"It's daunting to realize that the autism community is growing every
day as more and more families experience autism diagnoses," said Suzanne
Citron, Co-Founder of The Charles Lafitte Foundation. "The Autism Center is
an invaluable resource for families living with autism worldwide by
providing needed clinical services, research and professional training
programs. Since the lifetime cost of treating a person living with autism,
starting with intensive early intervention, can be staggering, our donation
will provide aide to families of the Autism Center to ease their financial
hardships."
The Foundation gave a $100,000 grant to the University's EEU to support
its early childhood center, which offers inclusive educational programs and
services for children with disabilities and their families in the greater
Seattle area. The EEU encourages the development of children's cognitive,
motor and social interactive skills by emphasizing educational and
therapeutic interventions that are geared to each of their individual
needs.
"The dedication and commitment by the University of Washington's
researchers and clinicians to research and treat autism has made a positive
impact in the lives of children living with autism and their families. By
supporting the Autism Center and EEU, we are helping to pave the way for
more progress to be made in the fight against autism," said Jeffrey Citron,
Co-Founder of The Charles Lafitte Foundation.
About Charles Lafitte Foundation:
Founded in 1999 by Suzanne and Jeffrey Citron, the mission of the
Charles Lafitte Foundation (http://www.charleslafitte.org) is to provide
for and support inventive and effective ways of helping people help
themselves and others around them to lead healthy, satisfying and enriched
lives. To fulfill this mission, the Foundation acts as a grantmaker,
innovator and volunteer for four main programs: Education, Children's
Advocacy, Medical Research and Issues, and the Arts and has given over
$3.25 million in grants to not-for- profit organizations throughout the
United States. Jeffrey Citron is known as both a pioneer and visionary in
the financial and telecommunications industries. He is currently the acting
CEO and Chief Strategist of Vonage, a leading provider of SIP-based, VoIP
communications services, and previously founded and served as CEO of Datek
Online Holdings, formerly the fourth largest online brokerage company, and
Island ECN, formerly the second largest global financial exchange.