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The Principal Awards $5,000 toward Autism Clinic
July 1, 2010
The Homestead receives $5,000 from The Principal Financial Group Foundation for the Autism Clinic
The Homestead was awarded a $5,000 human services grant by The Principal Financial Group Foundation. Funds will be used to support services at the Autism Clinic set to open in September 2010.
The Autism Clinic will provide direct intervention services to children with autism using research based practices while collaborating to provide training and support to families and schools. The Autism Clinic will also serve as a resource center for families and professionals seeking to better understand how to respond to the unique needs of autism.
"Each year we are presented with so many great projects throughout the community," Andrew Allen of The Principal Financial Group Foundation said. "We are glad we can support this project that will make a positive impact on so many."
Individuals with autism require specialized assistance and training in order to maximize access to social, educational, vocational and family activities. With that individualized support, amazing things can happen. Individuals learn to communicate more effectively, better care for themselves, develop relationships with those around them and lead more fulfilling lives. Supporting children with autism with the right interventions will reduce the need for life-long, expensive supports in the future.
Many kids with autism have self-restricted diets. Mike was one of those children and would completely shutdown whenever his food of choice was not available. Staff at The Homestead worked on an "accepting new foods" program at his parent's request. The program gradually and systematically got him to accept non-preferred foods on his plate, got him to smell them, taste them, take bites of them, eventually expanding tolerance and his food preferences. After a while on the program, one of his parents emailed to let us know they just got back from an impromptu trip to Disney World. They raved how the trip was unbelievable and that Mike was so happy and compromised easily. They also described how at one point Mike was on the verge of shutting down because they couldn't find chicken nuggets and fries. Mom took him aside and explained that this is why it is difficult to travel and why they've been working on different foods, etc. Mike took a deep breath and said, "All right, I'll eat a cheeseburger." The parents could not believe it and sent many kudos to all for their hard work and efforts because The Homestead really does make a difference in Mike's life!
One in 110 children born today is expected to develop autism. With the establishment of a centralized location dedicated to autism, The Homestead Autism Clinic will have the ability to treat more children, recruit and train more staff, and provide a resource center for families and professionals seeking to better understand how to respond to the unique needs of autism.
About The Homestead
The Homestead is a private, non-profit organization that provides innovative solutions for children and adults with autism, their families and allied professionals. Services are provided in the community, in homes and in a unique agriculture based campus program. Autism is a neurological disorder that severely hinders the way information is gathered and processed causing problems in communication, learning and social skills. It occurs in roughly 1 of every 110 births.
