Autism Spectrum News Project Moves Closer To Becoming A Reality

Reprinted from Mental Health News -Winter 2008 Issue

     The past several months have seen a flurry of activity and excitement at the offices of Mental Health News. The mental health education organization is embarking on a new project to bring its award-winning newspaper format to the autism community. The new publication will be called Autism Spectrum News, and members of the autism community are abuzz over the project.

     Judy Omidvaran, a parent advocate from the Westchester County autism community remarked, “We are really excited that Autism Spectrum News is now in development. It will provide us with a free, readily available and vital resource for news, education, advocacy and resources about autism spectrum disorders and issues of vital concern to our community.” 

     Heading up the drive to launch Autism Spectrum News is David H. Minot, BA, Associate Director of Mental Health News. According to Minot, “We have taken our plan for Autism Spectrum News directly to the community. We have been attending conferences, meeting with parent advocates, and autism organizations to get everyone’s input and blessings on the project.” 

     How have members of the autism community reacted to the project?  “Everyone has been incredibly interested and supportive of the new project and appreciate us coming to them for advice.” 

     The regions of New York, Long, Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey have very active and involved autism communities, and host some of the country’s major centers for autism treatment and research. One of the goals of the development phase of the project is to meet with the regions many agencies that serve the autism community. Preliminary meetings have been held with the Orange and Westchester County Offices of Mental Health, the YAI National Institute for People with Disabilities, Westchester ARC, and the NYU Child Study Center.  Future meetings are planned with COSAC in NJ and with The Seaver Center at Mount Sinai Hospital, the Yale Center at Greenwich Hospital, and LIJ’s Autism Center on Long Island. Many more meetings are needed and anticipated throughout the region. “We started with three parent advocates, stated Minot, Judy Omidvaran, from Westchester, Carey Zuckerman, President of The Manhattan Autism Society, and Theresa Pirraglia also of Westchester and Founder of FECA: The Foundation for Educating Children with Autism.” “They are so involved in advocacy and for finding answers to the causes of autism. Their help has been invaluable to us in networking with other leaders of this vibrant and committed community.”

    Anyone who might be interested in the project is urged to fill out the flyer to get on our mailing list for a free subscription or to call David Minot at (570) 629-5960.