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

[Guest guest]

Northeast Ohio Chapter

P.O. Box 221195, Beachwood, Ohio, 44122

Contact:

Don Pattison

President, National Autism Association - Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO)

Phone: 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.

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