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e-Speaks || April 3, 2009
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Global Events Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day
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The second-annual World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was held on April 2 and celebrated with events worldwide. In New York City, Autism Speaks began the day by
ringing the opening bell
of the New York Stock Exchange. At the United Nations,
Yoko Ono unveiled PROMISE,
a unique piece of art created especially for WAAD, and HE Ambassador al Nasser of Qatar held a
panel discussion and luncheon.
Autism Speaks co-founders Suzanne and Bob Wright were among the invitees representing 26 different countries. In Central Park, Autism Speaks and the Ad Council hosted a
unique awareness event
to highlight the prevalence of autism. Autism Speaks finished the day at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, with the premiere of
“beyond.words”
by the dre.dance company. President Barack Obama
issued a statement
celebrating the day; messages from other world leaders can be found
here.
On April 1, Autism Speaks Co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright held a
briefing
with members of the U.S. State Department's Foreign Press Center in New York City, where Autism Speaks announced the new Global Autism Public Health (GAPH) Initiative
partnerships in Albania and Ireland.
And
Lindt & Sprüngli
honored their “Heroes for Autism” at the Palace Hotel.
View media highlights from the day
here.
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Autism Speaks Hails the Introduction of the Landmark Autism Treatment Acceleration Act
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This year, World Autism Awareness Day is marked with the introduction of the groundbreaking Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA). Originally drafted by then-Senator Barack Obama and introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), ATAA is comprehensive federal legislation that addresses several critical challenges facing the autism community. A key section of the bill requires insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including coverage of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy – a medically-necessary, evidence-based autism treatment. To learn more and take action on the ATAA, visit
www.autismvotes.org/ataa. |
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New Mexico Becomes the Ninth State to Enact Autism Insurance Reform
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Autism Speaks joins New Mexico families and other autism advocacy organizations in applauding the state's legislators and Governor Bill Richardson for enacting Senate Bill 39, which requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies. The bill was signed into law by Governor Richardson yesterday in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. Enactment of this law makes New Mexico the ninth state with comprehensive autism insurance reform. To learn more about the New Mexico law, visit
www.autismvotes.org/newmexico.
Two more states have introduced autism insurance reform bills –
Maine
(LD 1198) and
Oregon
(HB 3000) – bringing the total number of states with introduced bills in the 2009 session to 26.
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Tampa Bay Walk Now for Autism Attracts Nearly 3,000 Participants
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Nearly 3,000 walkers raised more than $140,000 on March 28 at the 3rd annual Tampa Bay Walk Now for Autism, held at the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI). Read more and view photos
here.
Join the Grand Club! Every individual walker who raises $1,000 for a 2009 Walk Now for Autism event automatically becomes a member of this exclusive VIP club. Members enjoy public recognition, a 2009 Grand Club pin and VIP access on Walk day. Visit your local Walk's webpage for further details at
walknowforautism.org.
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Discovery Health to Feature Autism Speaks Researchers and Walk Now for Autism Events in April
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Tune in to the Discovery Health Channel for two specials focusing on autism. Discovery Health is Autism Speaks' media partner for Autism Awareness Month. In addition to the television specials, elements of the partnership will include on-air mentions of Autism Speaks' efforts on the Discovery Health Channel. Additionally, Autism Speaks' Ad Council public service announcements will be shown on DiscoveryHealth.com and will provide visitors with an array of information on autism as well as on Autism Speaks Walk Now For Autism events in the network's newsletters and online throughout the month of April.
Read more.
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Collaborative Symposia to Explore the Relationship Between Autism and Mitochondrial Diseases
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Autism Speaks and the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) have partnered to host a special science symposia at the annual UMDF meeting in June. This Autism Speaks sponsored session is part of our ongoing effort to collaborate with the UMDF to encourage dialogue between autism and mitochondrial disease researchers. The cost of attending the session is $50 for non-UMDF members, and attendees will be able to view research in this area and attend other science sessions throughout the day. Read more about this upcoming meeting
here.
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Autism Speaks Teams Up with NBC's HEROES for Star-Studded Fundraiser
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Autism Speaks has teamed up with the cast from NBC's hit show HEROES, the celebrity band “Band From TV” and “Wendy and Lisa” to increase autism awareness and help raise funds for autism research at the first ever HEROES for Autism fundraiser. This one-night only star-studded concert event will take place on Sunday, April 19 at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles, Calif.
Read more
and buy tickets
here.
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Spring has Sprung at the Autism Speaks Online Store!
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Outfit yourself for spring with Autism Speaks branded apparel, including embroidered golf polos for
men
and
ladies.
Other exciting items include the
Autism Speaks tee
and baseball hat.
Shop
the online store now for clothing and more.
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Why We Walk: Ten Years of Marching for Matty
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In our latest "Why We Walk" essay, the father of a teenager with autism tells how he became involved with the Pittsburgh Walk Now for Autism as a team captain. He recounts the reasons that he, his family and friends have been "Marching for Matty" for ten years and encourages others to get involved in Autism Speaks Walk program.
Read more.
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Coming Soon
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April 4
Autism SpeaksU 4th Annual We Are … Curing Autism Now 5K Race/3K Walk
(State College, Penn.)
Bay Area Walk Now for Autism Kick-off
(San Jose, Calif.)
New York City Walk Now for Autism Kick-off
(Bronx, N.Y.)
West Texas Walk Now for Autism
(Abilene, Texas)
April 17
Wheeling Walk Now for Autism Kick-off
(Wheeling, W.Va.)
April 18
Autism SpeaksU 1st Annual Fear the Turtle, Find a Cure 5K Race/3K Walk
(College Park, Md.)
Broward County Walk Now for Autism
(Davie, Fla.)
Cumberland Tri-State Walk Now for Autism
(Cumberland, Md.)
Lehigh Valley Walk Now for Autism
(Allentown, Penn.)
New York City Walk Now for Autism Kick-off
(Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Sonoma Walk Now for Autism
(Sonoma, Calif.)
April 19
HEROES for Autism
(Los Angeles, Calif.)
The 7th Annual Bethesda Super-Sprint Triathlon
(Bethesda, Md.)
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