Link to a new prevalence graph on the Autism Speaks website.
http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/Prevalence_Graph_12_18_2009.pdf
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Editorial on Autism Speaks
An editorial I received today from a colleague. Original source is Autismlink.
-----Original Message-----
From: AutismLink
To: redacted
Sent: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 3:28 pm
Subject: Editorial: Autism Speaks. Its a Living.
Autism Speaks. It’s a Living.
Autism Speaks recently announced on their website that due to the
poor economy they have to “postpone” grant making and giving for
2009. Yes, this charity that hauled in a reported $68 million in funds
last year has fallen on hard times. Sad, really, on the surface. But
dig deeper. I ask you to consider the following information, taken
straight from this organization’s IRS 990 form on their own website:
Geraldine Dawson, Chief Science Officer – Salary: $669,751
Mark Roithmayer, President – Salary: $400,413
Peter Bell, Executive Vice President – Salary: $265,981
Glenn Tringali, Executive Vice President – Salary: $255,256
Alison Tepper Singer, Executive Vice President – Salary: $201,942
Amount Spent on Travel: $2,873,667
Credit Card and Banking Fees: $989,344
Premiums: $1,452,807
Management Fees: $2,038,024
Advertising and Promotion: $2,108,778
Temporary Help: $718,686
Income: $65,826,829
GRANTS PAID OUT: $27,593,390
Now I ask you, does this look like an organization that is suffering?
It looks, to me, to be an organization that cares more about highly
paid salaries, posh offices on #2 Park Avenue in New York, pricey
fundraisers and getting it’s name in the newspaper. They seem to
exist solely to pay salaries and throw parties.
But hey, they’ve fallen on hard times. So can someone please tell
me why the first thing to go is the grant making and giving -- the one
thing that they claim as their #1 mission? To give grants to find a
cure for autism? And don’t they seem a little top heavy to you? A
$700,000 salary?? Four Executive Vice Presidents?
Autism Speaks is gaining quite a reputation in the autism community.
The come into a town near you with their sweeping public relations
teams, hold their annual “walk for autism” dog and pony show,
sucking every last dollar out of the community, only to take it back
to those posh #2 Park Avenue offices. While it may seem like a noble
cause, the main result of Autism Speaks’ tactics is that LOCAL
organizations that actually HELP people in your very own community by
providing services and supports end up begging for funding. How long
are we, as an autism community, going to close our eyes to what’s
really going on here? The big corporate New York “show”
organization is going from town to town like an infestation of locusts
sucking out every last dollar that they can in order to pay 68% of its
income in salaries and overhead.
The average corporation or Joe on the street doesn’t have time or
inclination to investigate the charity. After all, they’re so well
known and have such a bevy of Hollywood stars behind them, they have
to be legitimate, right? Well, I’ll leave that for you to decide,
but I urge you to look at their official IRS 990 form, right on their
own page, and do a little bit of math. Maybe you will open your eyes
to reality, and take those walking shoes off, give to local
organizations, and tell Autism Speaks to walk off.
Many adults living with autism have done just that and have even gone
to the extreme of protesting their walks and events. Jerry Seinfeld,
one of their performers, was confronted by an adult with autism,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH2otGcEfYU
– in which he was completely blown off by the star. Their
controversial “I am autism” video controversy was even recently
covered by Time Magazine:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1935959,00.html
.
Dozens of websites and blogs from around the globe are condemning
Autism Speaks for their spending habits, their scare tactics and their
treatment of the “neurodiverse” community. Their Washington, DC,
New York, Ohio State University, and several other locations for the
annual autism walk have been picketed and protested by individuals
with autism as well.
Even when Autism Speaks was in its infancy, the co-founders of the
organization told their daughter publicly (the mother of the child
with autism who was the impetus for starting the charity) that she was
not allowed to speak for them in any capacity. The story ended up on
the front page of the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/18/us/18autism.html?pagewanted=print
With a history mired in controversy and upheaval, Autism Speaks has
been at the Center of debate in the autism community for quite some
time, but now even die hard AS supporters are starting to see the
light. I used to be one of those supporters.
Pittsburgh was the very first walk for autism in the country, and I
was involved from the get-go. I did their newsletters, coined the
whole “Walk Talk” concept, produced and edited videos for them,
and helped raise thousands of dollars for this organization over the
years. Luckily, someone opened MY eyes to the truth, and I stopped
supporting them and began trying to educate others on how they
actually spend their money.
And, hot off of their website from today:
Announcement of Budget Reductions for Continuation Years of Autism
Speaks Research Grants
In view of the serious challenges that the economy is facing, Autism
Speaks made the difficult decision to institute budget reductions of
15% for all grant payments in FY2009. This includes most of the grants
awarded in December 2008 as well continuation budgets for grants
originally awarded prior to December 2008. Thus, if your second- or
subsequent budget year commences in 2009, a 15% reduction will apply
and you will be asked to submit a modified budget for the remaining
years before the continuation award will be activated. Please note
that Pilot and Fellowship grants are not subject to this reduction.
These changes were instituted to continue funding as many research
projects as possible and we regret any difficulty that you may
encounter because of the reduced budget. "
I wonder if the staff took a 15% wage reduction? So does this mean
that projects that were already promised funding won’t be fully
funded? That this will result in layoffs and the research not being
completed? Sounds like it to me.
I urge everyone to please take the time to read the IRS 990. The
proof is in the pudding – right there in black and white for
everyone to see. Don’t be a kool aid drinker – educate yourself
and get the facts before you walk even one more step for this
organization.
Cindy Waeltermann
Director, AutismLink
More Information and Links:
http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2007/06/i-take-back-every-nice-thing-i-have.html
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/autism-autism-spectrum-article/local-chapter-of-autism-speaks-splits-from-autism-speaks/287832
http://www.autismspeaks.org/about_us.php
http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-sad-story-on-fathers-day-the-wright-family-feud/
http://neurodiversity.com/weblog/?c=Advocacy
-----Original Message-----
From: AutismLink
To: redacted
Sent: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 3:28 pm
Subject: Editorial: Autism Speaks. Its a Living.
Autism Speaks. It’s a Living.
Autism Speaks recently announced on their website that due to the
poor economy they have to “postpone” grant making and giving for
2009. Yes, this charity that hauled in a reported $68 million in funds
last year has fallen on hard times. Sad, really, on the surface. But
dig deeper. I ask you to consider the following information, taken
straight from this organization’s IRS 990 form on their own website:
Geraldine Dawson, Chief Science Officer – Salary: $669,751
Mark Roithmayer, President – Salary: $400,413
Peter Bell, Executive Vice President – Salary: $265,981
Glenn Tringali, Executive Vice President – Salary: $255,256
Alison Tepper Singer, Executive Vice President – Salary: $201,942
Amount Spent on Travel: $2,873,667
Credit Card and Banking Fees: $989,344
Premiums: $1,452,807
Management Fees: $2,038,024
Advertising and Promotion: $2,108,778
Temporary Help: $718,686
Income: $65,826,829
GRANTS PAID OUT: $27,593,390
Now I ask you, does this look like an organization that is suffering?
It looks, to me, to be an organization that cares more about highly
paid salaries, posh offices on #2 Park Avenue in New York, pricey
fundraisers and getting it’s name in the newspaper. They seem to
exist solely to pay salaries and throw parties.
But hey, they’ve fallen on hard times. So can someone please tell
me why the first thing to go is the grant making and giving -- the one
thing that they claim as their #1 mission? To give grants to find a
cure for autism? And don’t they seem a little top heavy to you? A
$700,000 salary?? Four Executive Vice Presidents?
Autism Speaks is gaining quite a reputation in the autism community.
The come into a town near you with their sweeping public relations
teams, hold their annual “walk for autism” dog and pony show,
sucking every last dollar out of the community, only to take it back
to those posh #2 Park Avenue offices. While it may seem like a noble
cause, the main result of Autism Speaks’ tactics is that LOCAL
organizations that actually HELP people in your very own community by
providing services and supports end up begging for funding. How long
are we, as an autism community, going to close our eyes to what’s
really going on here? The big corporate New York “show”
organization is going from town to town like an infestation of locusts
sucking out every last dollar that they can in order to pay 68% of its
income in salaries and overhead.
The average corporation or Joe on the street doesn’t have time or
inclination to investigate the charity. After all, they’re so well
known and have such a bevy of Hollywood stars behind them, they have
to be legitimate, right? Well, I’ll leave that for you to decide,
but I urge you to look at their official IRS 990 form, right on their
own page, and do a little bit of math. Maybe you will open your eyes
to reality, and take those walking shoes off, give to local
organizations, and tell Autism Speaks to walk off.
Many adults living with autism have done just that and have even gone
to the extreme of protesting their walks and events. Jerry Seinfeld,
one of their performers, was confronted by an adult with autism,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH2otGcEfYU
– in which he was completely blown off by the star. Their
controversial “I am autism” video controversy was even recently
covered by Time Magazine:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1935959,00.html
.
Dozens of websites and blogs from around the globe are condemning
Autism Speaks for their spending habits, their scare tactics and their
treatment of the “neurodiverse” community. Their Washington, DC,
New York, Ohio State University, and several other locations for the
annual autism walk have been picketed and protested by individuals
with autism as well.
Even when Autism Speaks was in its infancy, the co-founders of the
organization told their daughter publicly (the mother of the child
with autism who was the impetus for starting the charity) that she was
not allowed to speak for them in any capacity. The story ended up on
the front page of the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/18/us/18autism.html?pagewanted=print
With a history mired in controversy and upheaval, Autism Speaks has
been at the Center of debate in the autism community for quite some
time, but now even die hard AS supporters are starting to see the
light. I used to be one of those supporters.
Pittsburgh was the very first walk for autism in the country, and I
was involved from the get-go. I did their newsletters, coined the
whole “Walk Talk” concept, produced and edited videos for them,
and helped raise thousands of dollars for this organization over the
years. Luckily, someone opened MY eyes to the truth, and I stopped
supporting them and began trying to educate others on how they
actually spend their money.
And, hot off of their website from today:
Announcement of Budget Reductions for Continuation Years of Autism
Speaks Research Grants
In view of the serious challenges that the economy is facing, Autism
Speaks made the difficult decision to institute budget reductions of
15% for all grant payments in FY2009. This includes most of the grants
awarded in December 2008 as well continuation budgets for grants
originally awarded prior to December 2008. Thus, if your second- or
subsequent budget year commences in 2009, a 15% reduction will apply
and you will be asked to submit a modified budget for the remaining
years before the continuation award will be activated. Please note
that Pilot and Fellowship grants are not subject to this reduction.
These changes were instituted to continue funding as many research
projects as possible and we regret any difficulty that you may
encounter because of the reduced budget. "
I wonder if the staff took a 15% wage reduction? So does this mean
that projects that were already promised funding won’t be fully
funded? That this will result in layoffs and the research not being
completed? Sounds like it to me.
I urge everyone to please take the time to read the IRS 990. The
proof is in the pudding – right there in black and white for
everyone to see. Don’t be a kool aid drinker – educate yourself
and get the facts before you walk even one more step for this
organization.
Cindy Waeltermann
Director, AutismLink
More Information and Links:
http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2007/06/i-take-back-every-nice-thing-i-have.html
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/autism-autism-spectrum-article/local-chapter-of-autism-speaks-splits-from-autism-speaks/287832
http://www.autismspeaks.org/about_us.php
http://www.blisstree.com/articles/a-sad-story-on-fathers-day-the-wright-family-feud/
http://neurodiversity.com/weblog/?c=Advocacy
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Per diem opening - ST or OT
We have an immediate opening for a per diem therapist 2-4 afternoons per week. Pediatric experience and CA license required.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Link to Huffington Post article by David Kirby
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/is-autism-associated-with_b_316986.html
Monday, October 12, 2009
Link to article by a mom who gives her kid with ASD medical marijuana
http://www.theautismnews.com/2009/10/12/why-i-give-my-9-year-old-pot/
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Link to Fox News article. What is wrong with people?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,563623,00.html
Friday, October 02, 2009
Press Enterprise article on school districts and autism
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_autism28.43a1cc7.html
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Per Diem SLP
We are looking for a talented SLP to join our practice on a per diem basis 2-4 afternoons per week. Pediatric experience required, as well as master's degree, state license, and Certificate of Clinical Competence. Qualified applicants, please check out our website www.playworks.cc and email kelli at that domain to begin the application process.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Huffington Post piece I just found...
Interesting article by Elaine Hall, Neal's Mom and Director of the Miracle Project
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-hall/i-love-autism_b_167382.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-hall/i-love-autism_b_167382.html
Summer schedules
We're about to start working on our summer schedules. Please update us with summer school schedules, vacation dates, and any other constraints or preferences. Thanks.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Link to PE article on Gina, Chris, and the Logelins.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_S_matt13.426f839.html
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Next week on Oprah...
FYI. Next week on Oprah :)
On Monday, Chris and Gina Lee's work will be featured on Oprah. Gina was the photographer for our Christmas train event and her husband Chris was the video guy. Gina and Chris are both super talented and have such a heart for children. Should I ever become a mother, I will absolutely have Gina do my newborn photo shoot. Amazing work. Anyway, if you're home in the afternoon or have a DVR, Oprah is having Matt Logelin as her guest that day. Matt started the Liz Logelin foundation in honor of his late wife who died of a pulmonary embolism the day after their daughter Madeline was born. Gina has done quite a bit of photography work with them and Chris recently did a video of Madeline's first birthday photoshoot. Matt's foundation supports a great cause and I have great respect and gratitude for the Lee family. Should be a great show!
Here are some links:
http://www.mattlogelin.com
http://gleephotography.blogspot.com/2009/04/crazy-walk-in-target.html
http://www.onwardfilms.com
On Monday, Chris and Gina Lee's work will be featured on Oprah. Gina was the photographer for our Christmas train event and her husband Chris was the video guy. Gina and Chris are both super talented and have such a heart for children. Should I ever become a mother, I will absolutely have Gina do my newborn photo shoot. Amazing work. Anyway, if you're home in the afternoon or have a DVR, Oprah is having Matt Logelin as her guest that day. Matt started the Liz Logelin foundation in honor of his late wife who died of a pulmonary embolism the day after their daughter Madeline was born. Gina has done quite a bit of photography work with them and Chris recently did a video of Madeline's first birthday photoshoot. Matt's foundation supports a great cause and I have great respect and gratitude for the Lee family. Should be a great show!
Here are some links:
http://www.mattlogelin.com
http://gleephotography.blogspot.com/2009/04/crazy-walk-in-target.html
http://www.onwardfilms.com
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Link to an old Autism Diva blog re. Jenny McCarthy
Blog: Autism Diva
Post: Jenny McCarthy and the problem of illusions.
Link: http://autismdiva.blogspot.com/2007/09/jenny-mccarthy-and-problem-of-illusions.html
Post: Jenny McCarthy and the problem of illusions.
Link: http://autismdiva.blogspot.com/2007/09/jenny-mccarthy-and-problem-of-illusions.html
Summer enrollment
We are beginning to think about our summer schedule, programs, etc. Please let your child's therapist know your availability and if you would like any changes to your services and/or hours. Current clients have "first dibs" on extra sessions. We will open enrollment to new clients in May. Thanks.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Link to interview with Erik Linthorst
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Ignorance on World Autism Awareness Day
Happened to catch 5 minutes of Dr. Laura today. Such ignorant comments to a mom of a boy with autism. Did anyone catch this? I'll have to get a transcript.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Promotion
Reanna has been promoted to the position of Assistant Director. She has already had the responsibility of the position for a long time and now I'm forcing her to take the title. :)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Spring Break
Please let your child's therapist know your spring break plans. We will be open throughout March and April. Our next holiday is Memorial Day. Thanks!
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Book recommendation
I have a book recommendation for families working with their kids on reading. "Teaching Word Recognition" is by Rollanda O'Connor, one of my former professors at UCR. I'd say it would be appropriate for parents of kids with a developmental reading age of 4 1/2 - 8 (focus on Kindergarten-1st grade). I ordered mine from Amazon.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Fronie! She completed the requirements for her Clinical Fellowship Year and will receive her state license and Certificate of Clinical Competence.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Openings for winter and spring
We have a few openings for developmental intervention and speech therapy - mornings only. Current clients get "first dibs."
Friday, January 09, 2009
Photos from train event
http://ginaleephoto.com/polarexpress2008/
If anyone needs a photographer for their kids/family, Gina's work is pretty phenomenal.
If anyone needs a photographer for their kids/family, Gina's work is pretty phenomenal.
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