National Autism Center Provides Critical Autism Services

Randolph, Mass. — The National Autism Center is proud to be among the selected beneficiaries of the U.S. Government’s 2012 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The CFC is the world’s largest annual workplace fundraising effort, which has raised $7 billion for charities around the globe since 1961.

The National Autism Center is internationally recognized for publication of the ground-breaking report – the National Standards Project – that established a set of standards for effective, research-validated educational and behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, the report is used as the go-to source of guidance for parents, caregivers, educators, and service providers, enabling them to make informed treatment decisions. It has been downloaded by individuals in over 70 countries and in all 50 states.

One hundred percent of the funds raised for the National Autism Center through the CFC campaign will go towards providing reliable information and comprehensive resources about effective, research-based treatment to families and communities. Funds will also support the Center as it conducts applied research and develops training and service models for practitioners. Finally, CFC donations will help the Center complete and launch the second phase of the National Standards Project, which will focus on treatment for adults with ASD.

Parent Janet Amorello, mother of a 16-year-old son who was diagnosed with autism more than a decade ago, knows firsthand how frustrating it can be to find effective services. Mrs. Amorello collaborated with clinicians and other parents to author the Center’s newest publication – “A Parent’s Guide to Evidence-Based Practice and Autism.” This informative, easy-to-understand resource is available free of charge for families in search of the best treatments for their children.

“When my son was younger, there wasn’t anything available that told me what treatments had been researched. Those were scary days when everyone seemed to be selling a “cure” and many of us were susceptible to buying hope. I wanted whatever we decided to do to be effective. At the time, this quality of resource did not exist,” says Mrs. Amorello. “To have a trusted resource that you can go to for reliable information, or to check your own gut instinct, is essential for any parent of a child with autism.”

Beginning this month, and continuing through the end of the year, federal, civilian, postal, and military donors can designate the National Autism Center to receive a campaign gift by writing the Center’s charity identification number (CIN) on pledge forms. The National Autism Center is listed by its DBA (doing business as) name, “Autism Research Center – Family Support, Diagnostics, and Advocacy for Effective Treatment,” with the CFC pledge number 39406.

The National Autism Center has been voted one of the Best Independent Charities of America by the Children’s Medical Charities of America Federation. It also earned the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, awarded to only 0.2% of the one million charities operating in the U.S. today.

“We are honored to be included in this very powerful campaign that generates millions of dollars each year to improve the quality of life for so many,” says Hanna C. Rue, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Executive Director of the National Autism Center. “The number of individuals being diagnosed with autism continues to increase at an alarming rate. Our participation in the CFC will strengthen our ability to provide vital, research-based information to individuals with autism and their families around the country and beyond.”

Click here to view a video about the work being done at the National Autism Center.

About the National Autism Center
The National Autism Center is May Institute’s Center for the Promotion of Evidence-based Practice. It is dedicated to serving children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders by providing reliable information, promoting best practices, and offering comprehensive resources for families, practitioners, and communities.

For more information, please call 877.313.3833 or visit nationalautismcenter.org.