|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Mark Cohen
|
|
Cohen announces Autism Awareness Health Expo for Friday
HARRISBURG, April 21 – State Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., announced an autism expo on Friday will connect parents and family members of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder with support services and health-care providers and will help raise awareness.
The expo is being held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 24 at the Julia Ward Howe Academics Plus School at 13th and Grange streets, Philadelphia.
"Early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference for those living with autism. This expo will not only connect families with local services, but it will also help raise awareness so everyone can recognize the signs of autism and learn how to best interact with those who have ASD," Cohen said.
Expo attendees also will have the chance to network with legislators, advocates and support group representatives.
The expo is being sponsored by Philadelphia School District's Northwest Region Six. Northwest Regional Superintendent Dr. Pamela Brown; Julia Ward Howe School Principal Doaquin R. Jessup; and Cohen's wife, Mona Cohen, who works with children with special needs at the Julia Ward Howe School, will also be on hand at the expo.
Cohen, who serves as a member of the House Autism Caucus, will be at the expo to answer questions about state services available to children and adults living with autism.
Cohen also announced today the opening of three regional autism centers to assist children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and their families.
"With at least one in every 150 children in America now living with one of the autism spectrum disorders, connecting families with the latest research and top-quality services close to home is key to helping those with ASD reach their fullest potentials," Cohen said.
The eastern region autism centers include the University of Pennsylvania Center for Autism Research; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Holy Family University; Drexel University; and Lehigh University.
Establishing regional autism centers was a primary recommendation of the Pennsylvania Autism Task Force commissioned in 2004.
###lr/2009/jma
l:'print'releases'AutismExpo.202