Autism Support Network celebrates second anniversary, supports global audience from over 200 countries

October 11, 2010 (Fairfield, CT) – Autism Support Network (ASN) today announced its second anniversary of providing a full suite of free services available at www.AutismSupportNetwork.com. One of the leading autism support communities available online, ASN connects families and individuals touched by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with each other, provides support and insight, and acts as a resource guide for autism treatments and therapies, news and information, services, grants, and strategies.

“Since our launch two years ago, we’ve seen tremendous growth tied to the explosion of need for those whose lives are affected by autism,” said Brian Field, co-founder of Autism Support Network. “Our members come from virtually every country in the world, clearly indicating the global impact of autism today. With our professional and peer-based resources -- combined with our multilingual capacity -- we continue to serve as a source of information and comfort for those whose lives are touched by autism.”

Autism Support Network has a roster of partners both in the United States and internationally, including: Autism Hangout; Aid for Autistic Children, Inc; Parenting Special Needs Magazine; Spectrum Magazine; Beijing Stars and Rain; Autism South Africa; Hagar International; and the Israeli Society for Autistic Children.

Today 1 in 110 children is diagnosed with autism, with a new case diagnosed every 20 minutes and is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.

Autism Support Network & Autism Hangout band together, guide those touched by autism

(Fairfield, CT / Rosemount, MN) August 31, 2010 – Autism Support Network (www.AutismSupportNetwork.com) and Autism Hangout (www.AutismHangout.com) today announced a content sharing agreement to further spread practical assistance to those whose lives are touched by autism.

Autism Hangout was founded by Craig Evans, who is the step-father of a child with autism. The site has four core sections including: News and Reports, featuring over 300 video interviews with autism thought-leaders discussing key issues as well as how to meet daily challenges in order to “thrive with autism”; Community, with a discussion forum and member-posted blogs; an Education Section, offering video curriculum developed by autism experts including Donna Williams and Rudy Simone; and a Resources section of member-posted product and service reviews.

“Craig and the people at Autism Hangout are completely in tune with our mission and are creating content that is of great practical benefit,” said Brian Field, co-founder of the Autism Support Network. “We see them as kindred spirits in the ongoing effort to provide insights and support to those parents, professionals and those with autism. Through broadening the distribution of each other’s content, we hope to build a greater communal base of knowledge, strategies and directions to help those whose lives are touched by autism.”

“For those of us living with autism there’s a great need for answers to the day-to-day challenges,” stated Craig Evans, founder of Autism Hangout. “Finding a partner like Autism Support Network that understands this and is devoted to the common goal of helping our loved ones with autism not just survive, but to thrive, is key to us. In helping further this goal through cross promoting each other’s content, we hope to make our collective voice stronger and reach more who can benefit from the help we provide.”

Today 1 in 110 children is diagnosed with autism, with a new case diagnosed every 20 minutes and is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.

About Autism Support Network
Autism Support Network (www.AutismSupportNetwork.com) is a free global online community – with members from over 212 countries – connecting families and individuals touched by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with each other, providing support and insight, and serving as a resource guide for treatments, strategies and therapies.

About Autism Hangout
Autism hangout (www.AutismHangout.com) provides the autism community with an online resource that compiles news, knowledge and personal experiences on how best to thrive with autism.

Autism Support Network and Beijing Stars and Rain join to heighten autism awareness in China

(May 24, 2010) FAIRFIELD, USA / BEIJING, CHINA – Autism Support Network and Beijing Stars and Rain today announced a cooperative effort to spread autism awareness across China and elevate Beijing Stars and Rain’s efforts to those outside of China.

Beijing Stars and Rain is China's first non-governmental educational organization dedicated to serving children with autism. Founded in 1993 by Tian Huiping, a mother of an autistic boy, the school is a grassroots educational institute providing special education for families of autistic children. It annually conducts four 11-week education and training programs for both children and parents from throughout China. The school has helped more than 6,000 autistic children and their families across the country and has won support from an army of volunteers from around the world. Stars and Rain has also recently opened a small group home for teens.

“Beijing Stars and Rain is undertaking work – a few families at a time – to help slowly turn the tide of autism ignorance in China and provides parental training and hope for those children and their families that would otherwise be hopeless,” said Brian Field, co-founder of Autism Support Network. “As the first NGO in China undertaking such critical efforts, they are undertaking a leadership position that demands support not only within China but from organizations supporting autism internationally.”

“We thank the Autism Support Network for their efforts to increase awareness of our programs and autism overall within China and across other counties,” said Sun Zhong Kai, development officer for Stars and Rain. “By providing Autism Support Network materials in Chinese, we hope that many others within China will begin to understand more clearly what autism is and how therapy can be approached.”

For those families that have children with autism in China, the combined lack of community awareness and available services can be devastating. Schools will often refuse to accept those with more severe autism, and parents are left with the daunting prospects of how to care for their child and – more specifically – face the prospects of what might become of their child when grown to adulthood after they are gone. Some families go so far as to commit family suicide rather than to face that future burden.
Today 1 in 110 children is diagnosed with autism, with a new case diagnosed every 20 minutes and is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States today. Current estimates put the number of children in China with autism at roughly 2 million, although official reporting may be dramatically under-counting this statistic. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.

About Autism Support Network
Autism Support Network (www.AutismSupportNetwork.com) is a free global online community – with members from over 210 countries – connecting families and individuals touched by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with each other, providing support and insight, and serving as a resource guide for treatments, strategies and therapies.

About Beijing Stars and Rain
As the first autism-focused NGO in China, the mission of Beijing Stars and Rain (www.guduzh.org.cn) is to help people with autism within China reach their full potential, improve their quality of life, and enjoy equal opportunities. The program strives to be a bridge between society and children with autism.

Autism Support Network and Autism South Africa Together Engage to Heighten Autism Awareness, Support

JOHANNESBURG and FAIRFIELD, Conn., April 5, 2010 — Autism Support Network and Autism South Africa today announced a partnership to foster autism education and support across South Africa and internationally. Autism Support Network will promote Autism South Africa’s ongoing informational programs across the nine South African provinces and highlight its resources.

In a nation of over 50 million people, autism in South Africa is only marginally acknowledged with little support or awareness. Those with autism are frequently institutionalized and not provided the therapeutic support that can integrate them meaningfully into society. Furthermore, due to the significant lack of understanding regarding autism in the country, outside of urban areas those with autism and other developmental delays are often regarded as “bewitched” or “possessed” and some forced to undergo dangerous and cruel measures, such as being tied to trees and force-fed hydrochloric acid to “vomit the demon” out.

“Autism South Africa is a prime example of a few individuals undertaking the herculean challenge of developing national awareness, understanding and acceptance of those with autism,” said Brian Field, co-founder of the Autism Support Network. “Their grass-roots efforts, community outreach and identification of local service providers demonstrate how - through persistent efforts - positive incremental change can be realized despite overwhelming obstacles. We support their efforts and will promote their programs to our South African members and assist in elevating their needs to those outside of the country.”

“We are grateful to the Autism Support Network for its efforts in expanding autism awareness and support of our national programs,” stated Jill Stacey, National Director of Autism South Africa. “Our challenges in building awareness for autism in South Africa continue to be significant. Through cooperative partners like ASN, our hope is that our goals can be realized more quickly and that our efforts can be increased as the global community sees and understands our needs.”

About Autism Support Network

Autism Support Network (http://www.AutismSupportNetwork.com) is a free global online community - with members from over 180 countries - connecting families and individuals touched by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with each other, providing support and insight, and serving as a resource guide for treatments, strategies and therapies.

About Autism South Africa

Autism South Africa (http://www.AutismSouthAfrica.org) is a non-profit agency whose mission is to initiate and support the provision of affordable and sustainable autism-specific services across South Africa.