CDC Announces Rise in Autism Rates – Potential Inc. Offers Services to Those in Need

PRLog (Press Release) - Apr. 3, 2012 - NEWTOWN, Pa. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) announced Friday that 1 in 88 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which brings with it an official epidemic label. This is a marked increase from the last report in 2009, showing 23% more instances of autism diagnoses in the past few years.

Though researchers still believe that there is no single cause of ASD, institutions like the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network have been conducting studies to determine possible factors that might affect a child’s development, which is particularly important as ASD is being diagnosed in many cases before a child reaches age 3.

This news comes just as National Autism Awareness month begins. Now, more than ever, it is important to educate individuals about ASD and what can be done to help over 1 million children diagnosed along the Spectrum to get the care, education, information, and enrichment that they need.  

Individuals and families are encouraged to attend resource fairs and reach out to local organizations that specialize in various treatments for children affected by autism (e.g., speech, occupational, and physical therapy).  One such local organization is Potential Inc., which aims to help individuals and their family members work toward achieving an individual’s full potential in all areas of his/her life.  Through a wide range of services, offered both in its clinic and at clients’ homes, as well as through full-day programs offered at its educational facility, The Springtime School, Potential is doing its fair share to get the word out about autism and help families understand that there is help and that a diagnosis of ASD is not to be thought of as a final determination of a child’s development or success in life.

For more information about the services offered to families affected by ASD by Potential Inc. and its affiliate, The Springtime School (www.springtimeschool.org), stop by and speak with staff members, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA’s), and clinicians at events this month such as Please Touch Museum’s Autism Awareness Night, the Philadelphia Zoo’s Autism Awareness Day, Sesame Place’s Day for Children with Autism, and the Bridge Valley 5k Race for Autism, among others, or visit our websites!

Located in Newtown, Pa., Potential Inc. (www.potentialinc.org) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization whose goal is to provide the highest quality interventions for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.  Potential Inc. utilizes the latest research in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which includes an analysis of Verbal Behavior (VB) to improve communication, behavior, toileting, social skills, and more.  Executive director, Kristine Quinby is a board-certified behavior analyst.  She holds a master’s degree in special education from Penn State University and a bachelor’s degree from Rider University in elementary education and psychology.  A certified elementary and special education teacher, Quinby was self-employed as a consultant to families and school districts for more than six years prior to founding Potential Inc. in 2006.  In addition, Quinby has been a participant in the Pennsylvania Autism Task Force, Community Connections for All Children, Pennsylvania Association Council for Exceptional Children (PACEC), and the Bucks County Autism Task Force.

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Based in Bucks County, PA, Potential Inc. is a non-profit that provides information, resources, and a variety of outpatient services to families affected by autism and other developmental disabilities.