CommunityLinx

Autism Society of Colorado

550 S. Wadsworth Blvd

Suite 100

Lakewood, CO 80226

720.214.0794 office

720.274.2744 fax

Since 1970, the Autism Society of Colorado (ASC) has been a “first responder” to families with children with autism who are emotionally, physically and financially spent. ASC’s mission is to promote quality of life for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in Colorado and their families. ASC’s hallmark program, Information, Referral, Support and Advocacy (IRSA) currently responds to more than 2,500 first time calls and emails for help annually. ASC provides support groups with child care, family friendly events with child care, as well as the Give Me a Break Respite Fund, which strives to provide funds to pay for a professional respite provider so that families can enjoy an essential break.

Other programs include Community Awareness and Outreach, Autism Information (research, review and distribution of best practices in science, education and policy), and Public Policy.

ASC receives no government funding and relies solely on the contributions of individuals and local businesses and organizations.

Autism

Autism is a complex, behaviorally diagnosed, neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, in Colorado, 1 in 169 eight-year old children are diagnosed with ASDs, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

The Need

Although 8th in per capita wealth of all the states, Colorado is:

48th in funding for people with developmental disabilities;
50th in funding for special education, and;
First in out of pocket costs for families with children with disabilities

Additionally, for Colorado’s families with children with autism, navigating the complex public-service systems intended to meet their multifaceted needs can be daunting. The journey is frequently confounded by unconnected programs that address children’s medical, educational, and financial needs separately. These systems usually vary in application processes, eligibility standards, and breadth of services, and numerous barriers impede access.

Colorado’s statewide systems are under-funded. Currently, 12,000 Coloradan’s with developmental disabilities are on wait lists for service. Schools lack resources and funding to appropriately support students with difficult behaviors; suspension and expulsion are too often the remedy. Parents have great difficulty remaining productive at work and maintaining employment.

Currently, the divorce rate for families with children with autism exceeds 75% and children with autism are 3-5 times more likely to be victims of abuse. The thousands of families served by ASC report that reprieve from the relentless storm that autism rains on a family would change their lives.