Autism Speaks Baker Summer Camp Scholarships Awarded to 51 Camps Across the Country

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 14, 2010) – Autism Speaks, North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization, today announced the recipients of the Autism Speaks Baker Summer Camp Scholarship Program, which will provide 51 camps with funding to offer scholarships to campers with autism. A total of $130,000 will give 330 kids with autism the opportunity to have a summer camp experience this year.

The program, funded by Norma and Malcolm Baker, began in Southern California and has expanded to the national level, with additional support from the John W. Carson Foundation, a private foundation in New York, and online fundraising through Causes on Facebook.

Camps providing a qualified summer camp program to individuals with autism were encouraged to apply for a Camp Scholarship Fund through the Autism Speaks Baker Summer Camp Scholarship Program. Nearly 300 camps submitted scholarship grant applications, which were reviewed by a national committee comprised of families affected by autism, and autism professionals. Grant applications were evaluated based on their overall camp program design and available activities, approach to serving people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), staff training in working with people with ASD, and a documented and thoughtful process for selecting qualified scholarship campers. The camps are responsible for choosing the scholarship recipients based on a diagnosis of autism, financial need and the individual's opportunity for growth and development through the camp experience.

“Autism Speaks is thrilled to be able to partner with Norma and Malcolm Baker to provide camp opportunities for individuals affected by autism,” said Lisa Goring, Autism Speaks director of Family Services. “By providing scholarship funding to camps that support individuals with ASD, we hope that more families will be able to take advantage of the camp experience.”

The camps awarded have a successful history of supporting individuals with autism. Preference was given to camps that provide opportunities for inclusion with typically developing peers, as well as those located in underserved communities.

View a complete list of the camps.

About Autism
Autism is a complex neurobiological 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 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $142.5 million to research through 2014 and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council which has received over $210 million in donated media. Autism Speaks' family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About the Co-founders
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners, Chairman and CEO of the Palm Beach Civic Association and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright has an extensive history of active involvement in community and philanthropic endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is also Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. Suzanne has received numerous awards such as the CHILD Magazine Children's Champions Award, Luella Bennack Volunteer Award, Spirit of Achievement award by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's National Women's Division and the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world for their commitment to global autism advocacy.