Autism Speaks, In the News, Current News, 100 Days After the 100 Day Kit Launch

The response to the launch of the 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families has been tremendous. During the first 100 days following the kit's release on February 29, the family services team spoke with and personalized kits for over 1500 families who had recently received a diagnosis of autism. In addition, the kit is available for download as a PDF here and has been viewed by thousands of people.

In addition, we have received enthusiastic feedback from parents:

“Wow, I just received my packet and I am so grateful for the information. Just when I thought I had finished looking through the packet, I found that there are resources for my area at the end of the packet. Thank you so much.”
“I am mom to a 4-year old girl with autism. My daughter was diagnosed a couple of years ago. I have just read through your new 100-day kit online, and wanted to tell you how wonderful I think it is. This is a great compilation of information, and is the best resource I have seen. I wish it would have been available to me when my daughter was diagnosed a couple of years ago! But there is still useful information for us. I have passed the web link to my daughter's teachers and therapists, so that they will be able to get this info to the parents of newly diagnosed kids. Thank you so much for providing this resource!”

Four months after a personalized kit is sent to a family, a member of the Autism Response Team (ART) contacts the family to find out how they are doing and answer any questions that they might have. Additionally, the ART coordinator gathers feedback on what was helpful about the 100 Day Kit, and where improvements could be made. This feedback will be incorporated into the second version of the 100 Day Kit to be released in early 2009.

A Spanish language version of the 100 Day kit will be launched in July 2008 and Autism Speaks will have a bilingual ART coordinator on staff to assist Spanish speaking families.

Newly diagnosed families (within six months of diagnosis) can order a kit which will contain personalized information specific to the child's age and location. Please fill out the survey (click here) and an ART coordinator will contact you by phone for additional information so that we can personalize a kit for you and your child.