On Friday April 1, the set of the popular CBS daytime talk show “The Talk” provided a unique and special venue to Light It Up Blue for World Autism Awareness Day. To kick off the show’s four segments on autism during April, co-host and Autism Speaks board member Holly Robinson Peete shared a beautiful video about her family’s personal journey with autism featuring her 13-year-old son RJ. After an emotional chat with her fellow cast members, Holly welcomed Autism Speaks Executive Vice President Peter Bell to talk about what families can do following a diagnosis. They discussed the basics of autism, what it is, what causes it, and what resources are available to families including Autism Speaks’ 100 Day Kit.
At the show’s conclusion, audience members were given blue “The Talk” t-shirts and many were brought up on stage. After Holly and co-host Julie Chen urged President Obama to light up the White House blue, the ladies of “The Talk” did a countdown which culminated in transforming the set from red to blue in honor of Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue initiative.
On Friday, April 8 the next autism segment will highlight fathers including Holly’s husband, former NFL player Rodney Peete and actor Joe Mantegna, start of the CBS hit show “Criminal Minds.” The following Friday (April 15), the segment will showcase special teens with autism who have overcome challenges. A final segment on April 22 will focus on the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Bell will return as a guest along with former high school basketball phenom Jason McElwain who is now 22.
Autism Speaks thanks Holly and the producers of “The Talk” for devoting so much of their time to covering these important topics for the autism community.
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When a child is diagnosed with autism, his or her parents are often left feeling overwhelmed and confused about what to do next and where to turn for help. Autism Speaks’ 100 Day Kit is a valuable tool for these families and helps make the first few weeks and months after diagnosis a little less daunting. In order to defray the cost of the 100 Day Kit and provide it to newly diagnosed families, we need your support. Each kit costs $25 to produce.
Please support this very important initiative, which directly assists families affected by autism NOW.
The 100 Day Kit includes information about autism and dealing with the news of a diagnosis. The personalized kit lists local service providers, support groups, recreational activities, sources of legal information, conferences, local autism organizations and information about the local chapter of Autism Speaks. It provides insight into getting services for a newly diagnosed child and explains various available treatment options. A week-by-week action plan helps walk a family through the steps they need to take to ensure that they are on the right track. The kit also includes a safety plan and a list of recommended books and informational websites. In March, Autism Speaks launched a separate Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Tool Kit.
Families whose children have been diagnosed in the last 6 months may request a complimentary hard copy of the 100 Day Kit or the AS/HFA Tool Kit by calling 888-AUTISM2 (888-288-4762) and speaking with an Autism Response Team Coordinator.
Every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with autism. When families first get the diagnosis of autism, it can be difficult. Our hope is that the “100 Day Kit” will provide families with a greater sense of hope, with resources, and information that will help make those first few months just a little bit easier.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support.
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