03-02-2005, 06:57 PM
http://www.zwire. com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14064340&BRD=1776&PAG=461&dept_id=6365&rfi=6
Top Stories
Local Fair To Raise Autism Awareness
By Stephen Feller March 02, 2005
While researching autism, which her son had just been diagnosed with, Christine Heeren noticed a need in Suffolk County for an organization helping parents learn about the developmental disability.
At least partially because of the need Heeren discovered, the second annual Long Island Autism Awareness Fair on April 16 will offer parents an opportunity to speak with vendors and advocates, gather information and take part in group discussions about autism with experts.
Heeren helped to start the National Autism Association nearly two years ago and is currently president of the Long Island chapter of the group, as she realized there was no place for parents to go to get information.
Because she babysat for an autistic child, and worked with several others, when Heeren’s now five-year-old son was diagnosed, she had some idea of what to do.
“When my son was diagnosed, I didn’t have the typical parent reaction of ‘Oh my God, what do I do,’ because I had been around it,” Heeren said.
According to Dr. Lawrence Palevsky, a pediatrician at the Northport Wellness Center in Northport, children with the disability fall within a spectrum of ranges of the developmental disability. He said children either regress in their development or developmental delays become more pronounced, often characterized by repetitive behaviors, social interaction problems and sensory issues, among others.
The Long Island chapter of the NAA, Heeren said, focuses mostly on awareness. While she thought she recognized the slow loss of skills in her son, which can develop between the ages of one and three, many parents do not. “The earlier children get services, the better” chance they have of avoiding the worst of autism, Heeren said.
New York State has the second highest incidence of autism, said Autism Network co-founder Jason Reis, an important reason for parents to pay attention and be aware of autism. The Autism Network provides financial assistance and planning, workshops, training and other services to families around Long Island. The nonprofit company also gets paid by many school districts to work with students in their schools.
Reis said events like the fair are important because, unlike some of the conferences that are held around the country attracting doctors and other involved individuals, this one is local, affordable and convenient.
“The population on Long Island and in New York City with autism has grown,” Reis said. “If you’re a parent or professional you may not have the money or time off work to go to a conference. So, it’s important to have a low-cost event for people.”
Palevsky said that because autism is mostly not treated with medication, parents must find what works best for their child. Finding the right type and combination of detoxification, therapies and behavior modification can be time-consuming, but a fair such as this, as opposed to the professional conferences parents often attend, can be more useful.
“There’s an awareness that a fair like this is trying to raise,” Palevsky said. “Instead of having to go all across the country, it’s an attempt to merge these things. It provides parents with education, options and an opportunity ... to learn what else is out there.”
Heeren said that with a situation as overwhelming as finding out that your child is autistic, and the time it takes to care for that child, making it easy for parents to get information is a huge help. She said gathering so many sources in one place also could help parents on Long Island deal with it better.
“I feel like if I can get the information out there, it will make up for the lack of options,” Heeren said.
The second annual Long Island Autistic Awareness Fair will be held at Sports Plus Entertainment Center in Lake Grove on April 16. For more information on the fair or the National Autism Association visit http://www.autismfair.com.
Top Stories
Local Fair To Raise Autism Awareness
By Stephen Feller March 02, 2005
While researching autism, which her son had just been diagnosed with, Christine Heeren noticed a need in Suffolk County for an organization helping parents learn about the developmental disability.
At least partially because of the need Heeren discovered, the second annual Long Island Autism Awareness Fair on April 16 will offer parents an opportunity to speak with vendors and advocates, gather information and take part in group discussions about autism with experts.
Heeren helped to start the National Autism Association nearly two years ago and is currently president of the Long Island chapter of the group, as she realized there was no place for parents to go to get information.
Because she babysat for an autistic child, and worked with several others, when Heeren’s now five-year-old son was diagnosed, she had some idea of what to do.
“When my son was diagnosed, I didn’t have the typical parent reaction of ‘Oh my God, what do I do,’ because I had been around it,” Heeren said.
According to Dr. Lawrence Palevsky, a pediatrician at the Northport Wellness Center in Northport, children with the disability fall within a spectrum of ranges of the developmental disability. He said children either regress in their development or developmental delays become more pronounced, often characterized by repetitive behaviors, social interaction problems and sensory issues, among others.
The Long Island chapter of the NAA, Heeren said, focuses mostly on awareness. While she thought she recognized the slow loss of skills in her son, which can develop between the ages of one and three, many parents do not. “The earlier children get services, the better” chance they have of avoiding the worst of autism, Heeren said.
New York State has the second highest incidence of autism, said Autism Network co-founder Jason Reis, an important reason for parents to pay attention and be aware of autism. The Autism Network provides financial assistance and planning, workshops, training and other services to families around Long Island. The nonprofit company also gets paid by many school districts to work with students in their schools.
Reis said events like the fair are important because, unlike some of the conferences that are held around the country attracting doctors and other involved individuals, this one is local, affordable and convenient.
“The population on Long Island and in New York City with autism has grown,” Reis said. “If you’re a parent or professional you may not have the money or time off work to go to a conference. So, it’s important to have a low-cost event for people.”
Palevsky said that because autism is mostly not treated with medication, parents must find what works best for their child. Finding the right type and combination of detoxification, therapies and behavior modification can be time-consuming, but a fair such as this, as opposed to the professional conferences parents often attend, can be more useful.
“There’s an awareness that a fair like this is trying to raise,” Palevsky said. “Instead of having to go all across the country, it’s an attempt to merge these things. It provides parents with education, options and an opportunity ... to learn what else is out there.”
Heeren said that with a situation as overwhelming as finding out that your child is autistic, and the time it takes to care for that child, making it easy for parents to get information is a huge help. She said gathering so many sources in one place also could help parents on Long Island deal with it better.
“I feel like if I can get the information out there, it will make up for the lack of options,” Heeren said.
The second annual Long Island Autistic Awareness Fair will be held at Sports Plus Entertainment Center in Lake Grove on April 16. For more information on the fair or the National Autism Association visit http://www.autismfair.com.