Green for Autism

"Date Submitted","IP Address","Name.first","Name.last","Email","Comment" "2010-06-07 13:59:25","24.171.5.91","Emily","Malabey","internationalautismcoalition@gmail.com","ICAA, the international coalition for Autism and all Abilities, is a young, rapidly growing, non-profit organization with headquarters in Arnold, MO. We are focused on direct support, social justice and advocacy services to people with Autism and other disabilities and their families. We are an alternative to the research- based, organizations such as Autism Speaks, and the inaccessible celebrity- represented foundations. Through my work in advocacy and mediation services, I have been approached by many parents, professionals and people with disabilities themselves who have voiced their needs and concerns with the lack of real services and advocacy in our global society. They expected the currently existing large organizations to have supports and services but never received any help. ICAA was born as a result of this urgent need in our society. I founded ICAA to not only advocate and get supports and services directly to the people who need it, but also with the bigger picture in mind regarding needed changes within the structure of our global society. We have three projects ongoing: “Project Mind the Gap”, “Project Hope” and “Project Safety”. Please see our website for more information about these projects or contact us for in- depth details regarding the projects. If you are interested in sponsoring a particular project, please let us know and we can connect you to our Marketing and public Relations director, Nathan E. Moore for sponsorship packages. Our Executive Board consists of a diverse group of educated, professional and experienced individuals of various backgrounds and cultures giving their time and talents to our cause on a volunteer basis. We are currently forming our Advisory Board which will include a Webster University Professor and Councilwoman, a Neurologist, a Pediatrician, local Senator and attorneys; all concerned with our cause and mission. We have regional US committees and an international committee as well. We are holding our first annual Rally for Action on September 11th, 2010 from 12-3:30 PM at TR Hughes ballpark. We are seeking donors, sponsors, products, services and interested persons or entities in fundraising campaigns. We are also selling River City Rascals professional baseball tickets. We will feature generous sponsors on ICAA literature, and on merchandise at the rally. If interested, please respond and we will connect you with our Marketing and Public Relations Director, Nathan E. Moore, Secretary Jacqueline M. Ward or Vice President and Treasurer Matthew K. Malabey, Sr. for more information on any sponsorship details and sponsor packages. Attached, please see our literature for the Rally, our Spring/Summer 2010 ICAA brochure, and our organization certificate from the Secretary of State of Missouri. Since January of 2010, we have helped over 30 families and individuals from here in Missouri all the way to Canada. Our organization is different because we are not focused narrowly on any one group of individuals with disabilities. While we specialize in Autism- related issues (due to the overwhelming growth and need), we are here to help all people of all abilities of all ages to access therapies, treatments, equipment, resources and advocacy services to meet their needs. We are also working to ensure society grows and changes to accommodate people of all abilities. Please let us know of your interest. With your donations or sponsorships, all of our case action alerts can be helped. If you are interested to learn more about the current cases, please let us know. Two involve homeless mothers with disabled children, one involves people in Mississippi affected by the recent tornadoes and the special education “rooms” of schools being devastated to the point the students now use something less than utility closets, a young man in Tybee Georgia who was brutalized by police recently and a young man who was beaten and denied treatment at Oklahoma hospital emergency rooms, resulting in lost teeth and a stay in a filthy mental institution, never getting any treatment for his seizure disorder. Since his mother explained he has a diagnosis of “Autism”, the hospitals refused to admit him saying they do not treat “Autism”. All of these urgent Action Alerts need our help. Thus far ICAA has done all we can for over thirty families with nothing. Imagine what we can do with more resources! Facts about Autism: *1 in 91 children in the USA alone are diagnosed with Autism-this is not counting adults on the spectrum *1 in 87 children in Missouri are diagnosed with Autism-this does not account for the adults on the spectrum *There is no cure for Autism *There is no known cause for Autism *Autism affects people of all ages, races, cultures and creeds all across the world *Autism can manifest itself in lack of speech and language, social and some motor development *Most Autistic people look like “normal” people and are often very attractive *People with Autism have potential, some have special talents and gifts. Not all Autistic people are savants and not all Autistic people are severe, non-verbal or anti-social *Autism is a spectrum. There are some people who are high functioning and some who may never verbally speak. Intervention, access to therapies and education are important for all. *Conditions such as ADHD, ADD, Intestinal issues, Tourette’s, Depression, Seizure Disorders, and Sensory Processing Disorders are often seen in people with Autism as well but are co-morbid conditions not directly symptomatic of Autism. * at least 1 percent of the population of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder. * Prevalence is estimated at 1 in 91 births. * At least 1 to 1.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder. * Fastest-growing developmental disability; 1,148%-2,000% growth rate. * 10 - 17 % annual growth. * $60 billion annual cost. * 60% of costs are in adult services or issues such as homelessness costs, poverty and jobless rates(not necessarily specialized in Autism since there are little to no Adult Autism Support services) * Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and proven intervention services (occupational therapy, Developmental therapy, speech and language therapy, etc). * In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion. * At least 1 percent of the adult population of the United Kingdom has an autism spectrum disorder. *It is estimated that in at least five years’ time, every one of us will know someone on the Autism Spectrum. Current government funding for Autism: *Leukemia affects 1 in 25,000/funding: $310 million *Muscular Dystrophy affects 1 in 20,000/funding: $175 million *Pediatric Aids affects 1 in 8,000/funding: $394 million *Juvenile Diabetes affects 1 in 500/funding: $130 million *Autism affects about 1 in 100* and receives $15 million ICAA needs your help. Autism affects us all. People with different abilities are a huge segment of our population. Generous sponsorship packages will include radio spots on several Clear Channel Communications stations in our area. Thank you for your time and consideration to our mission. Emily J. A. Malabey President/Founder, ICAA MO Notary, COPAA, NAPW Lay Advocate, Mediation Specialist Webster University www.internationalautismcoalition.com "