ACT Today!’s Autismo y Familia Conference Helped Spanish-Speaking Families Impacted by Autism

LOS ANGELES - May 23, 2014 - PRLog -- ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!), in collaboration with the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), applaud local agencies and political leaders for making the inaugural Autismo y Familia conference a success. Autismo y Familia was held on Friday, May 16, 2014 at the Children’s Institute, Inc. in Los Angeles. Approximately 100 attendees attended the free conference. The family focused conference was conducted in Spanish and featured workshops that addressed diagnosis, intervention options and advocacy for families affected by autism.

“What I liked most about the conference was listening to the parent testimonials and knowing there is a possibility my child with autism could make it to college someday," says Monserrat Maldonado, a parent of a child with autism.

ACT Today! is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and provide treatment services and support to families to help their children with autism achieve their full potential. These services include therapy, medical care, social skills programs, assistive technology and safety equipment.

“The success of this conference shows there is a need for more education and autism resources within the Hispanic community,” says Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson, executive director of ACT Today!. “This conference will be a fixture of our ACT Today! Español program, which was established to address the language barriers which hinder Spanish-speaking individuals from accessing healthcare resources and treatment services that are critical to the health and future of their children.”

The conference included opening remarks by Senator Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and Carlos Manuel Sada, the Cónsul General of México in Los Angeles. Presenters included ACT Today! Español spokesperson and broadcast journalist Gabriela Teissier (Univision) and autism advocate Francis Gomez, CARD case manager Sylvia Guzman, CARD supervisor Wendy Jacobo, special needs attorney Ines Kuperschmit, and advocates Maria Almanza and Josefina Nieves of Fiesta Educativa.

Attendees received complimentary Autism Information Kits at the end of the event. Each kit included informational materials from ACT Today!, Center for Autism & Related Disorders, Learning Rights Law Center, Fiesta Educativa, Consulado General de Mexico en Los Angeles, Children's Institute, Inc., Familias First Behavioral Services, CBC Education, Institute for Behavioral Training, North Los Angeles County Regional Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Autism Speaks, Ride On and the NAPA Center.

Autismo y Familia was made possible by a grant from Autism Speaks, and in partnership with Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc, Children’s Institute, Inc., Consulado General de México en Los Angeles (SRE) and Fiesta Educativa.

For more information about ACT Today! Español, visit www.act-today.org/espanol.

About ACT Today!:

ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and funding to families of children with autism who cannot afford or access the necessary tools their children need to reach their full potential. For more information about ACT Today!, visit: www.act-today.org.

About Center for Autism & Related Disorders, Inc.:

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) treats individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at its 26 treatment centers around the globe. CARD was founded in 1990 by leading autism expert and clinical psychologist Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D. CARD treats individuals with ASD using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which is empirically proven to be the most effective method for treating individuals with ASD and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Surgeon General. CARD employs a dedicated team of over 1,000 individuals across the nation and internationally. For more information about CARD, visit http://www.centerforautism.com.

About Autism Speaks:

Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed nearly $200 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 100 cities across North America. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 40 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles:

The Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, California is the largest foreign consular representation of Mexico and offers guidance and assistance free of charge. Carlos M. Sada was appointed by President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, and has been serving as Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles since April 2013. For more information about the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, visit http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/losangeles.

About Children’s Institute, Inc.:

Children’s Institute, Inc. (CII) helps children in Los Angeles’s most challenged communities heal from the trauma of family and community violence, build the confidence and skills to break through the barriers of poverty, and grow up to lead healthy, productive lives. CII’s Integrated Service Model, which combines evidence-based clinical services, youth development programs, early childhood programs, and family support services, is designed to address the “whole child” as well as the entire family. For more information about CII, visit www.childrensinstitute.org.

About Fiesta Educativa:

Fiesta Educativa, a partnership of families, professionals, consumers, friends, and agencies embraces as its mission the goal of universal support towards the enhancement of the lives of persons with disabilities. For more information about Fiesta Educativa, visit www.fiestaeducativa.org.