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Cellairis to raise funds & awareness for autism in April

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Cellairis joins Autism Speaks in April to raise funds and increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism

April 05, 2018

Cellairis, a leading device repair and accessory company, will partner with Autism Speaks throughout April, World Autism Month, to raise funds and increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism. Cellairis will donate a combined 35 percent of its gross revenue of all online sales from April 1 through 30. Customers will be able to make additional donations during online checkout and at participating Cellairis locations. The company, whose cases and accessories are designed to protect cell phones in style, has more than 600 locations in nine countries.

“It’s a great privilege to be partnering with Autism Speaks for the seventh year in a row. We sincerely respect their inspiring efforts to advance Autism research while broadening awareness of the autism spectrum and its effects on the lives of so many children,” said Taki Skouras, CEO and co-founder of Cellairis. “Cellairis is proud to work with an organization that shares parallel values and places great importance on bettering the lives of affected children and their families.”

An estimated 1 in 68 children is on the autism spectrum, and each of them experiences autism differently. The hallmarks of autism spectrum disorder – difficulty with communication, social interaction and inflexible, repetitive behaviors – are often accompanied by medical conditions that interfere with the quality of everyday life. 

Through partnerships and collaboration, Autism Speaks is advancing genetic research to better understand autism and increase the options for personalized care. Through science and advocacy, Autism Speaks is enhancing lives today and accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow. That includes providing information and access to services throughout the life span, including early childhood screening and supports to ease the transition to adulthood.

“We’re so grateful for the generosity of Cellairis and its customers, who help drive our mission worldwide” said Lisa Goring, Autism Speaks chief program and marketing officer. “In 2017 alone, Autism Speaks helped more than 1 million people in ways that would not be possible without supporters like Cellairis.”


Joe's Crab Shack Raises Funds for Autism Speaks

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The public invited to ‘dine out’ in April for World Autism Month to increase understanding and acceptance

The public invited to ‘dine out’ in April for World Autism Month to increase understanding and acceptance

April 05, 2018

In support of World Autism Month, Joe’s Crab Shack and its Dine Out for Autism program will partner with Autism Speaks, a global organization dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families.

Throughout April, Joe’s Crab Shack will donate $1 for every purchase of the Paradise Platter, the newest menu item comprised of shrimp, tilapia and homemade mac & cheese; a selection of two souvenir t-shirts for $20 or three for $30; or any Joe’s Crab Shack gift card for $25 or more. Guests also have the option to purchase all three selections or add a donation on top of their bill. All proceeds generated will be donated to Autism Speaks. 

Dine Out for Autism is one of the many partnership opportunities that invite corporations and restaurants nationwide to help engage the community and raise funds to support Autism Speaks research, advocacy and resources. 

For more information, please visit joescrabshack.com

McAlister’s Deli Launches Cookies for a Cause Campaign for Autism

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McAlister’s Deli Franchisee, The Saxton Group, Launches Cookies for a Cause Campaign in Support of Autism Speaks

McAlister’s Deli Franchisee, The Saxton Group, Launches Cookies for a Cause Campaign in Support of Autism Speaks

April 06, 2018

 

 

The Saxton Group, McAlister’s Deli’s largest franchisee, will kick off the next iteration of its Cookies for a Cause campaign April 1st. Throughout April, The Saxton Group’s 77 McAlister’s Deli restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa will sell blue sprinkle sugar cookies, with 50 cents of each cookie sold being directly donated to Autism Speaks. 

“Part of being a good neighbor means valuing the things that touch the lives of your customers. We’ve heard from many about the great work Autism Speaks does for families impacted by autism. We’re raising awareness and funds with our delicious cookies and hope this partnership can help enhance the lives of those across the spectrum living in our communities,” said The Saxton Group’s co-CEO, Adam Saxton.

Limited edition blue sprinkle cookies will be sold from April 1 through April 30. For a list of The Saxton Group restaurants offering the cookies, visit http://www.thesaxtongroup.com/locations.

“The Cookies for a Cause campaign helps increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism. and the donations enable Autism Speaks to continue providing valuable resources for every stage of life,” said Autism Speaks’ Vice President of Corporate Development Peter Morton. “We thank McAlister’s Deli, The Saxton Group and their customers for their generous support and commitment.”

About McAlister’s Deli

Founded in 1989, McAlister’s Deli® is a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its genuine hospitality, sandwiches, spuds, soups, salads, desserts and McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea™. In addition to dine-in and take-out service, McAlister’s also offers catering with a selection of sandwich trays, box lunches, desserts, a hot spud bar and more. With numerous industry

accolades, the McAlister’s brand has more than 400 restaurants in 28 states. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com, and find McAlister’s on social media at www.Facebook.com/TeaFreaks, www.Twitter.com/McAlistersDeli and www.Instagram.com/McAlistersDeli.

About The Saxton Group

The Saxton Group is a Dallas based multi-unit restaurant franchisee with a 35-year history of exclusively franchising restaurant leading brands. The company is the largest McAlister’s Deli franchisee in the country and is a Restaurant Franchise Monitor Top 100 Franchisee. The Saxton Group is family owned and operated with rich history of multi-unit development. Initially a small operation with a single restaurant, the group has evolved into industry veterans and leaders with over 70 locations in six states. They take pride in operating the McAlister’s Deli brand at the very highest level and forming deep relationships within the communities where their restaurants are located. For more information, please visit www.thesaxtongroup.com.

Dollar General will collect donations through April for Autism Speaks

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Partnership strengthens communities and furthers Dollar General’s mission of Serving Others
April 20, 2018

Throughout April, more than 14,600 Dollar General retail locations across the 44 states it serves plans to collect donations to benefit Autism Speaks (http://www.autismspeaks.org) , the world’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Customers may donate any amount at the checkout counter to support Autism Speaks, which is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. The partnership is now in its ninth consecutive year.

“An integral part of our mission of Serving Others is our commitment to investing in organizations that extend help and hope to our customers and the communities we serve,” said Dollar General’s senior director of community initiatives Denine Torr. “During the month of April, we look forward to raising awareness and funds for Autism Speaks’ research and advocacy efforts.”

The fundraising drive is among many activities during April’s World Autism Month, designed to promote understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder, which affects an estimated one in 68 children. Donations to Autism Speaks fund cutting-edge research, advocacy initiatives and free resources. They include Autism Speaks Tool Kits and the Autism Response Team, which last year answered more than 70,000 inquiries.

“Dollar General has shown tremendous commitment to this campaign, and we’re deeply grateful for their partnership,” said Peter Morton, Autism Speaks vice president of corporate development. “Every donation helps provide services and resources that meet important needs for people with autism, at every stage of life.”

About Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. Most forms of autism are believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences, and many are accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1 in 68 children is on the autism spectrum.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks (https://www.autismspeaks.org) is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. We empower people with autism and their families with resources, online tools and information covering the life span. Go to AutismSpeaks.org (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autismspeaks.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7Caurelia.grayson%40autismspeaks.org%7C4d6b285ecfd544a6d6ea08d585e95321%7C5e19f50f01744cac878b851ca149b7cd%7C0%7C0%7C636562159547397039&sdata=QVQ2uW5C8xvPcRPLXdViECv53pd0y%2FDiR6WiKhxgEBQ%3D&reserved=0) to learn more, donate or join an Autism Speaks Walk.

About Dollar General Corporation

Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for over 75 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 14,609 stores in 44 states as of March 2, 2018. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America’s most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg’s, General Mills, and PepsiCo.

TAO Group Announces Mission for World Autism Awareness

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April 20, 2018

In honor of World Autism Awareness Month, leading restaurant and nightlife company TAO Group and TAO Cares’ has announced its third annual nationwide effort to support and shed light on a great cause. Throughout the month of April, TAO Group venues across America (New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas) are offering “blue-themed” food and drink items, contributing 10% of the proceeds to support charitable organizations: Autism SpeaksEden II Programs, among others.

“We are thrilled to once again come together as an organization to provide support and raise awareness around World Autism Awareness Month,” said Ralph Scamardella, TAO Group Partner and Chef. “As we continue to advocate for the improved quality of life for children and adults with autism, TAO Cares proudly looks for ways to give back to the communities that inspire us. Our month-long mission for World Autism Awareness Month is a company-wide effort and I am so proud that we continue to come together for our third consecutive year to shed light on a great cause.”

The World Autism Awareness menus will feature the following specials at each designated venue for the month of April:

TAO UPTOWN / TAO DOWNTOWN / TAO LAS VEGAS / TAO LOS ANGELES

  • Bluefin Tuna Tataki, spring vegetable salad, burnt jalapeno vinaigrette
  • Salt and Pepper Blue Prawns, chili, crispy garlic and toasted pepper
  • Blue Layer Japanese Crepe Cake
  • Lychee Martini Blue Edition Cocktail

LAVO NEW YORK / LAVO LAS VEGAS

  • Blue Prawn Fritto Misto, blue potato chips
  • Blue Crab Mafaldini, lemon butter, garlic and toasted bread crumb
  • Blue Cookie Monster Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Rubina Rosa Blue Edition Cocktail

BEAUTY & ESSEX NEW YORK

  • Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi, creamy kani crab stick salad, crispy Okinawa sweet potato
  • Blue Corn Pappardelle, blue crab & Maine lobster, guajillo lobster broth, roasted corn & blistered tomatoes
  • Blue Velvet Cake Pops
  • Light It Up Bramble Cocktail
  • BEAUTY & ESSEX LAS VEGAS
  • Blue Crab Sopes, refried pintos, cotija, micro cilantro
  • Blue Corn Gnocchi Sardi, spicy Italian sausage, broccolini, cherry tomato
  • Blueberry Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwich, obi ice cream, freeze dried blueberries

BEAUTY & ESSEX LOS ANGELES

  • Bluefin Tuna Sashimi, blueberry white soy coulis, daikon chili relish, micro cilantro
  • Blue Crab Risotto, roasted corn, grana, crispy beet chips
  • Frozen Blueberry Kaffir Lime Soufflé, blueberry compote, toasted Italian meringue, candied almonds

VANDAL

  • Blue Corn Short Rib Tacos, cherry tomato salsa, refried pintos, green chile cream
  • 35-Day Dry Aged 16oz New York Strip, blue matchstick potatoes, crispy shallots, creamy spinach
  • Blueberry Macaroon Sandwich, vanilla frozen yogurt, mixed berries
  • Blackberry Caipirinha Cocktail

THE STANTON SOCIAL

  • Thai Style Blue Crab Spring Rolls
  • Blue Foot Mushroom Burger, Swiss cheese, Worcestershire aioli, blue cheese dusted blue potato chips
  • Coconut & Blueberry Sundae, coconut ice cream, blueberry meringue, coconut cake, blueberry sauce, whip cream
  • Blueberry Collins Cocktail

BODEGA NEGRA

  • Blue Crab Tostada with Chipotle Spiced Yogurt
  • Blue Don Huevo, dark chocolate molten cake, horchata ice cream, negra modelo caramel sauce

LEGASEA

  • Blue Crab Toast, grilled filone, pickled fennel, meyer lemon aioli
  • NY Strip Streak, roaring 40’s blue cheese melt
  • NY Style Blueberry Cheesecake
  • Foxy Moxy Blue Edition Cocktail

EGGHEAD

  • Blueberry Pop-Tart

THE HIGHLIGHT ROOM

  • Lump Blue Crab Cakes, red chili aioli, avocado cream, lemon frisee salad
  • Blue Burger, blue cheese, bacon, chipotle mayo, crispy onions
  • LUCHINI PIZZERIA & BAR
  • Buffalo Wings, with blue cheese dip

In addition, the following TAO Group nightclubs will also be contributing 10% from bottle sales of Belvedere and Grey Goose the month of April for World Autism Awareness Month: Marquee, Avenue, Vandal Lounge, TAO Downtown, Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge, PHD Rooftop, PHD Terrace, The Rickey and Fishbowl in New York; LAVO, Marquee and TAO in Las Vegas; and Avenue in Los Angeles.

On Wednesday, March 28, TAO Cares hosted a group of students from Eden II Programs at The Gallery at Dream Downtown for a kick-off event. Chef Scamardella led a culinary workshop, where the students enjoyed making their own pizza and salad, followed by a tour of the kitchen.

Lovesac Partners with Autism Speaks

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Lovesac launches 'Share The Comfort' campaign aimed at enhancing the lives of people affected by autism spectrum disorder
April 20, 2018

Lovesac, the Connecticut-based, fast growing home furnishing brand, is partnering with Autism Speaks to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, while adding a little extra comfort to their homes. Lovesac’s limited edition “Share the Comfort Sac” will be sold in stores and online throughout April, World Autism Month. The Limited Edition Share the Comfort Sac will be available in three sizes: SuperSac, MovieSac and CitySac. For each Share the Comfort Sac sold, Lovesac will donate a Sac to a family affected by autism.

An estimated 1 in 68 children in the United States is on the autism spectrum, according to the CDC. Since Lovesac’s founding more than two decades ago, the company’s founder and CEO, Shawn Nelson, has received dozens of letters from families affected by autism.  Inspired by their stories, Lovesac designed the Limited Edition Share the Comfort Sac as a way of showing love and support.

“World Autism Month is important to us because of the countless stories about how Lovesac has been appreciated by these families in ways we could never predict,” states Lovesac Founder and CEO Shawn Nelson. “We are proud to partner with Autism Speaks and share the comfort during the month of April.”

Autism Speaks Vice President of Corporate Development Peter Morton said, “We truly appreciate Lovesac’s partnership, as well as its generosity and commitment to enhancing lives.”

About Lovesac

Based in Stamford, Connecticut, The Lovesac Company designs and sells proprietary designed for life furniture platforms across more than 65 showrooms and a bustling online store. Lovesac is disrupting and modernizing the furniture industry by providing sectional couches and durafoam™ bean bags that are durable, washable, reconfigurable, sustainable, and shippable by FedEx and UPS. The company’s “Designed for Life” philosophy emphasizes products that are built to last a lifetime and evolve with customer needs, providing long-term quality to the customer and reducing the amount of furniture that is discarded into landfills. Visit Lovesac.com for more information.

About Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. Most are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences, and many are accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1 in 68 children is on the autism spectrum.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. We empower people with autism and their families with resources, online tools and information covering the life span. Go to AutismSpeaks.org to learn more, donate or join a fundraising walk.

Autism Speaks elects four dynamic business leaders to its national board

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New members from eBay, IFC, Nomura and Savor Street Foods bring diverse experience and demonstrate commitment to autism community
April 24, 2018

NEW YORK (April 24, 2018) – Autism Speaks, which is dedicated to promoting solutions across the spectrum and throughout the life span for the needs of people with autism and their families, has elected four new members to its board of directors, effective immediately. Each brings a wealth of experience in fields ranging from business management to investment banking, marketing, e-commerce and entertainment programming.

“These new board members not only have diverse experience in business and nonprofit leadership, they also have shown exceptional commitment to the autism community,” said Autism Speaks Board Chairman Brian Kelly. “We look forward to working with them and appreciate the fresh perspective they bring.”

Scott R. CarpenterScott R. Carpenter is the president and chief executive officer of Savor Street Foods (formerly The Bachman Company), a contract manufacturer of baked and extruded food products for private brands. He joined the Bachman Company in 1992, becoming vice president of sales and marketing in 1996 and later serving as president from 2000 to 2012. Mr. Carpenter purchased the company in 2012, and repositioned it as a contract manufacturer focused on baked, gluten-free, and organic convenience foods.

Mr. Carpenter, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lehigh University, has served on various industry and community boards. He and his wife Suzie reside in New Jersey and have two daughters. Their younger daughter, now a young adult, was diagnosed at an early age with autism spectrum disorder.

Since 2005, Mr. Carpenter has been an active supporter of Autism Speaks. In 2009, he helped found the annual Autism Speaks Fall Classic fundraising event at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey.

“Having been a supporter of the organization since its beginning, I’ve witnessed many significant achievements through the years and feel a vested interest in the continued mission and success of the organization ahead,” Mr. Carpenter said. “I’m honored to be joining a very talented and passionate board.”

Jennifer Caserta is president and general manager of IFC, a comedy channel owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. Recently named one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business” and listed in “The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Power 100,” Ms. Caserta has proven that comedy is serious business.

Jennifer CasertaUnder her leadership, IFC has attracted top-tier talent and cultivated the success of its original series including “Portlandia,” the Emmy, Peabody and WGA-winning sketch comedy series starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, and the critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated docu-parody “Documentary Now!” starring Fred Armisen and Bill Hader, written by Seth Meyers and hosted by Helen Mirren.

Last year, Ms. Caserta was a key architect in AMC Networks taking on a minority ownership stake in leading comedy brand Funny or Die. Through her 13-year tenure with IFC, she has earned an industry-wide reputation for developing multi-platform marketing initiatives and innovative partnerships, and more recently as president, for being the dynamic force behind its programming and overall brand identity.

Ms. Caserta earned her degree in media studies from Hunter College, which subsequently inducted her into its Hall of Fame. She is an alumna of the CTAM executive management program at Harvard Business School.

As an advocate for autism awareness, she is a member of the event committee for the annual Autism Speaks Celebrity Chef Gala.The passion and commitment of everyone involved in the organization has helped families like mine,” said Ms. Caserta, “and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an extraordinary organization that promotes such understanding and acceptance.”

Henson Orser is a managing director and global head of senior relationship management at Nomura, Asia’s global investment bank, where he also chairs the Global Sales Executive Committee. Mr. Orser is responsible for further enhancing Nomura’s client proposition and coordinating resources to serve the firm’s highest priority global accounts. He has more than 20 years of industry experience.

Henson OrserMr. Orser joined Nomura in 2012 as head of sales for Global Markets Americas. Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Orser was promoted in 2015 to co-head of Global Markets Americas.

Before joining Nomura, Mr. Orser spent 16 years at Royal Bank of Scotland, where he was most recently head of USD rates sales in the Americas. From 2001 to 2009, he was the branch manager of the RBS San Francisco office.

Before RBS, he worked in fixed income sales at PaineWebber and, prior to that, in institutional futures and options at Lehman Brothers. He began his career in municipal bonds sales at Lebenthal & Co.

Mr. Orser holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science from Princeton University, and is a trustee for the Winston Preparatory School, an innovative school for children with learning differences.

He joins the Autism Speaks board after 20 years of involvement with the autism community. “In addition to serving broadly for this great organization,” he said, “I’m particularly interested in digging in on solutions benefiting adults with autism. This is an enormous issue that every parent of a child with autism worries about.”

Dan Tarman,eBay’s chief communications officer, is responsible for managing, protecting and strengthening the company’s brand and reputation among key stakeholders. He and his team play a critical role in eBay’s brand strategy, positioning the company as a global leader in the commerce revolution. Mr. Tarman is a member of eBay’s Executive Leadership Team.

Dan TarmanHe leads a 100-person global team that activates a modern, robust and dynamic communications system that deploys cutting-edge tools, technologies and techniques to drive business impact. Mr. Tarman also plays a key role in eBay’s inclusion and diversity efforts as well as employee engagement with the company’s cultural values. He also chairs the eBay Foundation.

Mr. Tarman earned his J.D. cum laude from University of Miami School of Law, and a B.A. in international relations from Tulane University. He serves on the Boards of Directors of the Ad Council and the Anti-Defamation League Central Pacific Region. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors of the USC Annenberg School Center for Public Relations and the Board of the Stanford University Center for Autism.

Mr. Tarman spends his free time with his wife and two young sons. His 10-year-old son is on the autism spectrum.

"Each one of us has an opportunity in our lives to be purposeful in helping others,” he said. “I'm honored and energized to join the board of Autism Speaks and will do whatever I can to help the organization deliver on its mission to benefit people and families impacted by autism."

About Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. Most are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences, and many are accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1 in 68 children is on the autism spectrum.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. We empower people with autism and their families with resources, online tools and information covering the life span. Go to AutismSpeaks.org to learn more, donate or join a fundraising walk.

 

GameStop and Autism Speaks launch NXT Gen Coders program

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GameStop raising funds to increase employment opportunities within autism community through its third annual in-store autism awareness campaign

GameStop raising funds to increase employment opportunities within autism community through its third annual in-store autism awareness campaign

April 30, 2018

It is estimated that by 2020, there will be more than one million open jobs in the computer coding industry. Computer programming and coding are logical, predictable and visual – three attributes that make them appealing to many individuals with autism. And yet, the vast majority of adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed.

The new NXT Gen Coders Program powered by GameStop, and administered by Autism Speaks, is committed to increasing employment opportunities for the autism community in the fields of computer coding and programming.

During GameStop’s 2018 campaign, a portion of funds raised will help fund the NXT Gen Coders Program, and enable Autism Speaks to provide grants to organizations offering coding education and training services. Autism Speaks will invite organizations across the country to submit proposals via an engaging and in-depth process that results in awarding a select group of program recipients. Autism Speaks will work closely with recipient organizations to identify program participants who demonstrate clear financial need.

From May 1- 31, 2018, all GameStop stores in the U.S. will be having a GameStop Gives Back Event, offering three ways guests can contribute to support of people with autism:

  • For the first-time guests will have the option to donate up to 100% of their trade-in value to Autism Speaks when they bring to GameStop their unused video game hardware, software, accessories, or consumer electronics.
     
  • Donate $1, $5, $10 or more in store or on GameStop.com and GameStop will provide triple PowerUp Rewards™ points on the donation amount.
     
  • Online only: PowerUp Rewards members can now donate PowerUp Rewards points to Autism Speaks in the PowerUp Rewards Center.

This May, please join us in letting our friends at GameStop know how much we appreciate all of their efforts in their stores to drive support, understanding and acceptance of people with autism. For program details and restrictions please visit www.gamestop.com


Ready, Willing and Able to Work: How Small Businesses Empower People with Autism

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On Capitol Hill, Autism Speaks CEO highlights progress and calls for improvements in transition to adulthood
May 09, 2018

WASHINGTON (May 9, 2018) – Testifying today before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business, Autism Speaks President and CEO Angela Geiger addressed an area of great importance to many in the autism community: finding and retaining employment. At a hearing chaired by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) and Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Ms. Geiger highlighted ways in which the nation’s small businesses are uniquely positioned to overcome barriers to employment for people with developmental disabilities, and recommended systemic improvements to ease the transition to adulthood.

The employment rate of adults with disabilities is much lower than that of people without disabilities, and the rate for people with autism is lower still. However, progress is being made. In March 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the employment participation rate for working-age people with disabilities increased to 34.8 percent from 32.3 percent the previous year.

For many people with autism spectrum disorder, difficulty with communication and social interaction often hinder job interviews, collaboration with coworkers or even commuting to a job. Autism Speaks, which works on issues across the life span, provides tools and resources to help adults with autism overcome barriers to employment and live as independently as possible.

“Employment is more than the key to independence; our jobs are, in large part, the way we as Americans define ourselves,” Ms. Geiger said. “People with autism share the same right to shape their identities and deserve the same opportunity to maximize their potential and to contribute as full and productive members of society. Small businesses have a tremendous opportunity to help them do so, improving their bottom line and benefiting their communities at the same time.”

Autism Speaks and its partners work with businesses to improve hiring, training and retention. The innovation and flexibility of small businesses and entrepreneurs enable them to lead the way in employing people with autism, who are ready, willing and able to work. Businesses that hire people with autism report higher productivity and better retention rates, which flow to the bottom line.

Ms. Geiger highlighted three encouraging employment trends: mission-driven businesses run by social entrepreneurs whose mission is to hire people with developmental disabilities; autism employment initiatives by large companies that want to diversity their workforce; and micro-enterprises and small businesses run by entrepreneurs with autism. Entrepreneurship offers flexibility and job customization.

Illustrating these trends, the hearing included testimony from small-business owner John Cronin, of John’s Crazy Socks; Lori Ireland, of Extraordinary Ventures, a mission-driven business that employs adults with autism in service contracts; and Dave Friedman, the CEO of AutonomyWorks whose 22-year-old son is on the autism spectrum.

“We leverage the talents of people with autism – attention to detail, focus through repetitive tasks, and dedication to quality – to provide our clients with essential services,” said Mr. Friedman, whose Chicago-area company serves 15 commercial clients.

To help small businesses recruit, retain and advance employees with autism, Autism Speaks and its partners create communities of experts who share best practices to unlock the potential of an untapped workforce. Through these collaborations, Autism Speaks has developed employment guides, networks and online tools for job candidates, employers, employees, parents and schools.

Each year, an estimated 50,000 adolescents with autism transition from school into adult life, and more than half are disconnected from work or further education and training. To help close that gap, Autism Speaks recommended three systemic changes:

Improve transition services in schools and consistently start earlier, as young as age 14. This includes vocational rehabilitation, special education and career services, as well as collaboration with community employers to help match student with jobs in the local market.

Improve coordination between services. Building upon recommendations from the 2017 Report to Congress on Young Adults and Transition-age Youth with Autism, increase alignment among federal, state and community agencies.

Ensure that state-level implementation of workforce programs results in meaningful outcomes for people with autism. These programs include the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and state Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs. Both can help people with autism find paid work.

Ms. Geiger said, “Autism Speaks remains dedicated to serving as a conduit between individuals with autism and the small-business community.”

About Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. Most forms are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences, and many are accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. Autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the U.S.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Go to AutismSpeaks.org to learn more, donate or join a fundraising walk.

DNAstack and Autism Speaks® Announce Collaboration

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Collaboration to Accelerate Scientific Discovery on One of the World’s Largest Autism Genome Databases

Collaboration to Accelerate Scientific Discovery on One of the World’s Largest Autism Genome Databases

June 25, 2018

TORONTO and NEW YORK (June 25, 2018) ⎯ DNAstack, a software company that develops a cloud-based platform to manage, analyze and search genomic datasets, and Autism Speaks announced today a collaboration to enhance the Autism Speaks MSSNG research portal, designed to facilitate research to understand the complexities of autism spectrum disorder. Through this collaboration, DNAstack will organize one of the largest collections of autism genomes in the world, making them more accessible and analyzable, accelerating the pace at which researchers can use the resource to make discoveries.

The Autism Speaks MSSNG project will help researchers answer the many remaining questions about the genetic underpinnings of autism by sequencing the DNA of more than 10,000 families affected by autism. The omitted letters in MSSNG (pronounced "missing") represent the missing information about autism that the research program seeks to deliver. Through the MSSNG Database for Autism Researchers, the project provides open access to de-identified whole genome sequences as well as tools for analysis, with the aim of advancing personalized treatments by deepening understanding of the many subtypes that make up the autism spectrum.

“Sharing data in the MSSNG database and making it easy for researchers to analyze is crucial to our goal of understanding autism and accelerating discoveries,” said Dr. Dean Hartley, Autism Speaks senior director of discovery and translational science. “We are excited about how our relationship with DNAstack will help us move the needle on open science. Their technology will bring this resource to a new level by empowering researchers to more efficiently investigate genomic data.” Dr. Hartley adds that this collaboration will also increase accessibility by building on global standards developed through the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH).

Despite decades of research, there is much more to be done to understand the genetic variations that lead to differences on the spectrum, and to develop more personalized and effective treatments and support services. Working with Autism Speaks, DNAstack will build new features that will make it easier than ever before for autism researchers to use the data within the MSSNG resource, including:

Adata discovery portal that allows researchers to find datasets of interest based on genomics and clinical features, and create custom collection;

Abioinformatics workflow integration allowing researchers to run custom and best-in-class analyses in order to, for example, find new variants or do case/control studies;

A data-sharing beacon enabling researchers worldwide to identify autism-specific information     

about genomic variants of interest.

“The genetics of autism is complex, but we’ve made great progress because the research community can access genomic information,” said Dr. Stephen Scherer, research director of MSSNG, and director of the Centre for Applied Genomics at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the McLaughlin Centre at the University of Toronto. “MSSNG is a powerful resource to identify new subtypes of autism and study their underlying genetics and biology. Enhancing research capabilities and improving collaboration will further advance scientific discovery in autism.”

To date, research using the MSSNG genomic database has identified 61 genetic variations, and additional chromosome alterations that affect autism risk, which could lead to earlier diagnosis and potential personalized treatments for the condition and its associated physical and mental health conditions. Over 140 investigators from 40 institutions in eight countries worldwide are using data in the MSSNG database, which contains more than 7,200 whole genome sequences from individuals with autism, as well as unaffected family members, to draw comparisons.

“We believe that sharing data is one of the most important things we can do to accelerate discovery and the realization of precision medicine, not just in autism but in other conditions as well,” said Dr. Marc Fiume, CEO of DNAstack and co-chair of the Discovery Work Stream for the GA4GH. “By sharing data on the cloud, MSSNG has set an important precedent in open science. DNAstack is excited to help further Autism Speaks' mission in making this resource even more accessible to the research community and impactful than ever before.”

About DNAstack

DNAstack develops a cloud-based platform for genomics data analysis and sharing. DNAstack provides push-button access to state-of-the-art technologies to help researchers, clinical laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies more quickly and cost-effectively make sense of the world’s exponentially accumulating genomics data and break down barriers to data sharing.

About Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. A combination of genetic and environmental factors influence the development of autism, and autism often is accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. Autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. To find resources, join a fundraising walk or make a donation, go to www.AutismSpeaks.org.

For more information please contact: christine@dnastack.com or aurelia.grayson@autismspeaks.org

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