Press Release: National Autism Association - Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO) awarding over 40 grants to families with autism

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National Autism Association - Northeast Ohio Chapter P. O. Box 221195, Beachwood, OH 44122 Contact: Don Pattison President, National Autism Association - Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO) 216-280-4544 dpattison@...

Local Autism Group – the National Autism Association – Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO) providing grants to over 40 families and their children diagnosed with autism (ASD) in the Northeast Ohio area CLEVELAND, Ohio, January 15, 2008 – The National Autism Association – Northeast Ohio Chapter (NAA-NEO) is pleased to announce that 43 grants have been awarded to families raising a child/children or dependent(s) with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through its Helping Hand

Program in the counties surrounding Cleveland and Akron. Grants have been given out in the amount of up to $1,000 to help pay for autism related treatments and therapies such as speech, music, behavioral and occupational therapies, summer camps, tuition assistance, biomedical treatments as well as respite care. The Helping Hand grant program has been funded by corporate donations and NAA-NEO’s first fundraiser concert, raising $23,000. “We have been flooded by applications”, said Don Pattison, president of NAA-NEO. “The need for financial assistance by these folks has been truly

overwhelming. A father to a child with autism himself, Pattison and his group understand what it takes to support a child with the challenges that autism poses on the individual. With the promise held by early and intensive intervention, parents face the pressure of trying to provide therapies that are only covered to a limited degree by insurance companies or third parties, or are flatly refused. With intensive supports and therapies young and older children with autism can improve in all areas of their development. “The problem is that the financial supports to provide these treatments to our children are very limited and the stress on families is enormous”, added Pattison, whose background is in banking, urban studies, non-profit management and fundraising. The above circumstances have driven Pattison and his wife to start their non-profit endeavor in 2006 with a group of fine professionals and other parents of children on the autism spectrum. In December 2006, they formed the National Autism Association – Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO), a local chapter to the already well established national organization called the National Autism Association (NAA), and created the necessary infrastructure to operate. To date, this platform has enabled the group to not only raise funds but also to provide financial education workshops and link families with existing community resources, primarily through their website at www.autismnortheastohio.org. NAA-NEO is inviting the community to join them in their mission to support area families and their children with autism. Two benefit concerts will be held in February 2008 in Akron and Cleveland to raise funds so that the organization can respond to the overwhelming need from the community and award more grants to families for autism

treatment. Attending one or both of the upcoming benefit shows is a simple way to lend a hand to the autism community at affordable prices. Critically acclaimed musicians will perform at these concerts such as Todd Snider in Cleveland at the Beachland Ballroom, who won 2006 Top Album honors by Rolling Stone and NPR. Besides Todd Snider, Akron native and brilliant musician and song writer Tim Easton will also perform at the Beachland on February 29. Tim Easton has garnered Four Star album reviews by Rolling Stone. Charlie Saber, host of Alt. Country on WRUW-FM 91.1, will be spinning great tunes between sets. On February 28, Tim Easton will be playing a second benefit concert for autism with local favorite and great talent Zach at the Musica in Akron. The Summit 91.3 has been promoting both these events for NAA-NEO as the organization’s main media partner in raising autism awareness as well as funds, and in promoting

quality musicians. Tickets are available at www.autismnortheastohio.org/special_events at only $30.00 for the Cleveland concert on February 29, 2008 at 7 pm and $20.00 for the Akron Show on February 28, 2008 at 7 pm. NAA-NEO is also seeking corporate sponsorships at this time and is

looking forward to partner on this endeavor with the community at large. Interested parties should contact Don Pattison, President, at (216)280-4544 with any proposals or questions. About Autism Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder which affects as many as 1 in every 150 children born in the United States. This disorder affects boys more often than girls and it causes significant problems with social skills, behavior, and communication. Autism can affect any child, in any family, and it knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Parents of children with autism can experience significant stressors due to the physical, psychological and financial demands of raising a child with autism. In the Cleveland area, parents are challenged to fund necessary interventions which can cost as much as $70,000 per year for one child. Insurance companies often do not pay for these interventions and some children are unable to access needed services due to a lack of financial resources. About National Autism Association –Northeast Ohio The National Autism Association of Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO), a non-profit organization, was created with the mission of helping

individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. Our unique organization makes available financial assistance to parents of autistic children to more counties in the Northeast Ohio area than any other non-profit or non-governmental entity. Our mission is three-fold. First, NAA-NEO assists families by offering financial assistance to help defray the cost of treatments. Second, we educate people about autism and connect families to the available resources so that they have access to necessary treatments and interventions. Third, we link families with community resources, autism organizations and relevant information that is available through our website primarily at www.autismnortheastohio.org. Inquiries and tax-deductible donations can be placed online or may be sent to the

National Autism Association of Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO) at PO Box 221195, Beachwood, Ohio 44122. ###