fyi - big news

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BIG NEWS

Dear Parents and Friends,

Giant Leaps Occupational Therapy has taken an important step in the fight

against autism by joining Autism Speaks as a Sponsor of the Greater Hudson

Valley WALK Now for Autism on October 17, 2009.

Many Giant Leaps families know the challenges faced by autism spectrum

disorders firsthand. In building a team together, we can change the future

for these families and many others. Our goal in participating as a team is

to help the children we serve to learn the importance of giving back to the

community-especially when it's difficult, to know what it is like to be a

part of something bigger than oneself, and to learn to become advocates for

their needs.

Please join the Giant Leaps team by visiting

http://www.walknowforautism.org/greaterhudsonvalley/giantleapsot. Once you

register, Autism Speaks will send you a Welcome Packet that includes

donation forms and other information about this year's event. You can start

collecting donations immediately by downloading a donation form off the web

site. If you would like more registration forms for your friends and

family, please call a, at 845-268-2323.

If you cannot join us for the walk, would you please consider sponsoring

someone on our team?

Any donation of time or money is generous, and we thank you.

ABOUT AUTISM:

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to

communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by

behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150

children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls.

The prevalence of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The CDC

calls autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain

unknown.

ABOUT AUTISM SPEAKS:

Autism Speaks is dedicated to: (1) funding research into the causes,

prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; (2) increasing awareness of

autism spectrum disorders; and (3) advocating for the needs of individuals

with autism and their families. Autism Speaks funds more than $30 million

each year in new autism research. Notable awareness initiatives include the

establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness

Day on April 2 and an award-winning, multi-year national public service

advertising campaign with the Ad Council. Autism Speaks' family services

efforts include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed

families, a School Community Tool Kit and the distribution of community

grants to local service providers. Its government relations department,

through its Autism Votes initiative, has played a critical role in securing

federal legislation to advance the federal government's response to autism,

and has successfully advocated for insurance reform.

Thanks Again,

Tammy L. Belcher, MS, OTR/L

Director

Giant Leaps Occupational Therapy, PC

http://www.walknowforautism.org/greaterhudsonvalley/giantleapsot