Easter Seals Notes April's Autism Awareness Month to Highlight Services Available to Families Living W...(h autism face many road blocks that prev...),Health

-- funding for research, therapy and services is largely inadequate;

-- quality services -- especially for adults -- are limited;

-- unemployment among adults with autism persists; and,

-- general knowledge and understanding gaps about autism prevail.

"Services for children with autism who age out of the school system are critical. There is an urgent need for increased funding and services -- especially for adults with autism," says Morales. "We want to help change all of this and make a difference for families living with autism today."

Easter Seals has partnered with the Autism Society of America (ASA) on innovative initiatives to serve all those affected by autism.

"After age 21, federal services often disappear for our citizens, but Easter Seals is there to help," said Lee Grossman, president and chief executive officer, Autism Society of America. "We are excited that Easter Seals is highlighting autism among their services and supports."

Easter Seals + Autism

More than a generation ago, Easter Seals was front and center during the polio epidemic, working tirelessly to help children and adults with polio gain the skills necessary to live independently. And now, Easter Seals is working nationally to provide help, hope and answers to families living with autism today by delivering personalized services and treatments, as well as advocating in Washington DC to encourage Congress to finance research to improve services and supports for people with autism.

Easter Seals affiliates across the country together offer many different kinds of interventions to address the affects of autism. For example, Easter Seals:

-- Provides early intervention and diagnosis for very
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