UCLA SEMEL INSTITUTE Hosts Reception to Launch
THE HELP GROUP - UCLA AUTISM RESEARCH ALLIANCE
On Monday, September 10, 2007, the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior held a special reception to mark the launch of The Help Group – UCLA Autism Research Alliance. This spirited occasion was hosted by Dr. Peter C. Whybrow, director of the Semel Institute, and Dr. James McCracken, director, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at UCLA. The Alliance is an innovative partnership dedicated to enhancing and expanding clinical research, education, and treatment into ASD education and treatment and to contributing to the development, greater understanding and use of best practice models by educators and clinicians.
Dr. Barbara Firestone, Dr. James McCracken, Dr. Philip Levin, Director, The Help Group – UCLA Neuropsychology Program,
Dr. Liz Laugeson, Dr. Paul Satz
Dr. Peter Whybrow and The Help Group Board of Directors: Judd Swarzman, Dr. Barbara Firestone, Dr. Peter Whybrow, Gary H. Carmona, Susan Berk, Joy Monkarsh, Susan Berk, Dr. David Firestone
Dr. Barbara Firestone, Dr. Peter Whybrow
Dr. Dan Geschwind, Associate Professor of Neurology, UCLA, Dr. Robert Bilder, Tom Kom, Senior VP, The Help Group Susan Berman, COO, The Help Group
Dr. Lou Vismara, Policy Consultant for CA Senator Don Perata, Dr. Barbara Firestone, Dr. Peter Whybrow
To help
promote greater awareness and early identification and intervention,
The Help Group National Autism Foundation launched its Autism Awareness
Campaign public service announcements for television and radio in
2004. The Help Group's public service announcements feature
parent and celebrity spokespersons, many of whom have a child with
an autism spectrum disorder. The goal of the PSA campaign
is to reach out to parents, families and the community at large
with current facts about autism.
The incidence of autism spectrum disorders has reached epidemic
proportions affecting one in every 150 children. It is the
fastest growing serious developmental disability in the United States.
Early identification and intervention can be of great benefit to
many children challenged by autism spectrum disorders.
In
an effort to promote autism awareness in the City of Los Angeles,
Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa is participating in The Help Group's
public service announcement campaign. His PSA's in both English
and Spanish.
Help Group Parent and Celebrity spokespersons include: Ed Asner,
Dave Clark, Gary Cole, Magdelena del Olmo, Dr. Bruce Hensel,
Joe Mantegna, Edward James Olmos, Joanne Palmer & John Schneider.
The campaign debuted at The Teddy Bear Ball on December 4, 2004
and began airing in early 2005. Gary Cole, John Schneider and
Ed Asner are all parents of children with autism spectrum disorders
and are committed to promoting awareness for the ever increasing
number of families affected by this disorder. Read more about
The Help Group's Public Service Anouncements.
For further
information call toll free 866.966.9222
A Day of Philanthrophy, Fun and Shopping at BLOOMINGDALE'S
Thursday, October 25, 2007, The Help Group will be part of Bloomingdale’s Shopping Benefit that will take place in all three Los Angeles Bloomingdale’s locations - Beverly Center, Century City and Sherman Oaks! Simply bring in your complimentary coupon and invitation, and The Help Group receives a $5 donation from Bloomingdale's. Your invitation also entitles you to 15% savings on almost every purchase throughout the day. To obtain a complimentary ticket, call Lindsay at (818) 779-5156.
Remember to stop by and support The Help Group, October 25th!
Award Winning Documentarian and Frontier Filmworks' Producer Visit The Help Group
Award winning, and Oscar nominated film director, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson from Iceland’s Frontier Filmworks and executive producer Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir, visited The Help Group’s Sherman Oaks campus in June to interview Dr. Barbara Firestone, President & CEO, for the upcoming documentary, Lifting the Veils of Autism. This documentary takes an in-depth look at autism as an international epidemic and follows families from around the world as they first learn of their child’s diagnosis and begin to seek help. Lifting the Veils features leading experts in the areas of research, education, treatment, public policy and advocacy. It examines the social and economic impact of this growing public health issue, the cutting edge advances within the scientific community and the remarkable contributions of its adults who have learned to cope with the disorder. Through explorative dialogue with parents and prominent figures in the field, Lifting the Veils seeks to define autism, its causes and available treatments and provide a comprehensive overview of this multi-faceted disorder.
As President and CEO of The Help Group and Vice Chair of the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism,Dr. Firestone shared her insight into the changing landscape of autism and discussed The Help Group’s autism efforts through its day schools, public awareness initiatives, and professional and parent education programs. She outlined the legislative framework of California’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism and the State’s commitment to identify gaps in services for individuals with autism and develop recommendations to close these gaps.
Lifting the Veils of Autism is the creation of executive producer, Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir, the mother of a child with autism. Her vision was to “map the world of autism” by visiting schools, hospitals, universities, and institutions and filming individuals, their families and organizations around the globe. To date, Ericsdóttir’s production through Frontier Filmworks has documented autism in Denmark, the United States, Britain, Iceland and Sweden, and if further funding allows, this documentary project will extend its reach to Cuba, Tanzania and India and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007.
Dr. Barbara Firestone and Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir
Jón Karl Helgason, Dr. Barbara Firestone, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir
The Los Angeles Times and Daily News Feature
The Help Group's Village Glen Gradation
In mid-June, students from The Help Group’s Village Glen School experienced the time-honored tradition of high school graduation. The Los Angeles Times and the Daily News captured this proud moment and the remarkable achievements of these graduating seniors, many of whom will be attending community colleges, vocational schools or four-year University’s. The Help Group’s Village Glen Schools in Culver City and Sherman Oaks are dedicated to helping children and adolescents with Asperger’s Disorder and non-verbal learning disabilities excel.
The HELP GROUP's 30th annual SPRING LUNCHEON, TEDDY BEAR PICNIC
honored
AMY BRENNEMAN & BRAD SILBERLING
and PAM CLARK & NANCY ROSENFELT
Spring Luncheon celebrates three decades of commitment to children with Autism,
Learning Disabilities and other special needs
Captivating musical performances
by more than 60 children with special needs along with celebrity
guests created an unforgettable experience at The Teddy
Bear Picnic, The Help Group’s 30th Annual Spring Luncheon,
at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 12. The Help Group saluted
Amy Brennenman and husband, acclaimed writer, director and
producer, Brad Silberling with the "Help Humanitarian
Award" for their commitment to many philanthropic causes.
At this gathering, The Help Group presented its ‘Professional
Excellence Award’ to two outstanding professionals,
Pamela Clark, Director of The Help Group's Autism
Schools, and Nancy Rosenfelt, Director of Summit View Schools
for children with learning differences.
The Help Group's 16th Annual
Keyes European Mercedes Benz Teddy Bear Golf Classic and
Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC Awards Dinner on Monday,
April 23rd at the Valencia Country Club honored Stuart and
Stephanie Liner with the ‘"Help Fore Children
Humanitarian Award" for their outstanding humanitarianism
and heartfelt commitment to children. The golf classic raised
record-breaking funds to support The Help Group's schools
and programs serving pre-kindergarten through high school
children with special needs on four major campuses in Southern
California.
Gary Carmona, Stephani
& Stuart Liner and Barbara Firestone
Judd Swarzman, Stuart Liner, Blake
Mirkin & Jeff Berger
LA City Attorney, Rocky Delgadillo
Peter
Tilden & Howard Tenenbaum
Ken Solomon
SPECIAL RECEPTION MARKS NATIONAL AUTISM
AWARENESS MONTH
In recognition of National Autism Awareness month, The Help Group held a special reception at The Help Group Sherman Oaks campus on April 13th to honor individuals and organizations with a commitment to California's children and their families. The reception was generously sponsored by Keyes Automotive Group and attended by distinguished leaders, supporters and parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Details...
Making
a Difference Together
The
Help group celebrates six years of collaboration with
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® in reaching out to
parents, families and the community with the importance
of autism early identification and intervention. The Help
Group’s There is Hope, There is Help 2007 autism
awareness campaign, will be featured in the Coffee Bean’s
more than 200 retail stores throughout California and
in other western states during National Autism Awareness
month in April.
This campaign is designed
to acquaint families with the early signs of autism that
may be evident within the first two years of life. Early
Identification is of paramount importance since research
has shown that many children with an autism spectrum disorder
can make substantial progress in all areas of development
when intensive intervention is started before five years
of age.
The Help Group is very
grateful to its Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf colleagues
Sunny Sassoon, CEO and Melvin Elias, COO and Sr. Vice
President of Operations, who also serve on The Help Group’s
Circle of Friends Board. Special thanks to Tami Clark,
Senior Director of Marketing and Strategic Alliances and
the entire staff for their ongoing support of The Help
Group’s autism outreach programs. To find a Coffee
Bean & Tea Leaf location near you, please visit www.coffeebean.com
Gelson’s super market chains are teaming up with The Help Group to promote the early signs of autism during Autism Awareness month in April. The Help Group’s There is Hope, There is Help campaign is an effort to create awareness by reaching out to parents, families and to the community at large with current facts about autism.
During the month of April, brochures with autism facts will be prominently displayed at the front desk of each Gelson’s store location. Campaign posters will line storefront windows and every register screen will display a rotating image of the campaign logo with autism facts. Store patrons can participate in Autism Awareness month by making a $3, $5 or $10 donation—pull tabs with dollar denominations can be found at each register. Funds raised from the There is Hope, There is Help campaign will support The Help Group’s autism education and outreach programs.
The Help Group extends a very special thank you to Bob Stiles, President, Donna Tyndall, Senior Vice President, Store Operations, and Yvonne Cooprider, Director of Marketing, for their tremendous efforts on behalf of The Help Group. And we are grateful to Gelson’s staff for all of their outstanding support.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON AUTISM CONVENES ITS SECOND PUBLIC HEARING IN SACRAMENTO
The California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism held its second public hearing at the State Capitol on March 1, 2007. At this important meeting the Commission heard insightful reports from its three Task Forces: Early Identification and Intervention (children 0-5); Education and Professional Development (school age children); and Transitional Services and Supports (individuals 22 years of age and older). These task forces were formed to advise the Commission about gaps in programs, services and funding in their respective areas and to make recommendations to close these gaps.
Autism
Prevalence now 1 in 150, According to New CDC Study
On February 8, 2007, The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) announced that ASD prevalence estimates
have risen to one in every 150 children, up from the one
in 166 figure reported in January 2004. To read
the CDC press release please visit: www.cdc.gov
The
HELP GROUP’s 10th annual TEDDY BEAR BALL honors
LIFETIME’s SUSANNE DANIELS AND CAMILLE and Kelsey GRAMMER
Holiday gala
lights up the season with heartwarming performances by
Kelsey Grammer, Marissa Winokur, Joey Mc Intyre to benefit
The Help Group’s programs for
children with autism, learning disabilities and other
special needs.
The International Ballroom
of the Beverly Hilton was filled with prominent
entertainment industry executives, business and community
leaders along with celebrity friends for The Help Group
10th annual Teddy Bear Ball on Saturday evening, December
2nd. This year’s event honored Susanne Daniels,
President of Entertainment, Lifetime Entertainment Services
with the 2006 Help Humanitarian Award, in recognition
of her outstanding commitment to many philanthropic causes.
Camille and Kelsey Grammer received the Champion for Children
Award in honor of their ongoing dedication to enriching
the lives of children. This dazzling evening benefited
The Help Group’s schools and programs serving children
with special needs.
Angela Kinsey, Paul Lieberstein, Gary
H. Carmona, Susanne Daniels
and Dr. Barbara Firestone
Dr. Barbara Firestone, Anne Sweeney and
Susanne Daniels
Barrett & Joey McIntyre
Marissa Winokur and Help Group children
The Help Group Hosts Task Force on Early Identification and Intervention for
California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission On Autism
Sherman Oaks, CA (November 14th, 2006) The Help Group hosted the first of three task force meetings on Early Identification and Intervention for the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism at The Help Group's Sherman Oaks Campus. The meeting was led by Blue Ribbon, Vice Chair and Task Force Chair Dr. Barbara Firestone, President & CEO, The Help Group, and Dr. Lou Vismara, Policy Consultant to the Senate President Pro Tem, Don Perata. This task force was convened to determine the most pressing issues related to early identification and intervention for children with autism and their families; and to consider public policy solutions to address these issues. Blue Ribbon Commissioner, Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis serves as Task Force Vice Chair. more...
Pat Grayson-DeJong, Dr. Pilar Bernal, Dr. Barbara Firestone,
Dr. Lou Vismara, Jody Martin, Dr. Ron Huff
The
Help Group President & CEO Dr. Barbara Firestone Appointed
Vice Chair of Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism
Dr. Barbara Firestone, President and CEO of The Help Group,
has been appointed the Vice Chair of the 16-member Legislative
Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism recently established by Senate
President Pro Tem Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez.
The commission of health experts, business leaders, affected
family members and academics is mandated to study issues including
the early identification and intervention of autism spectrum
disorders. It will identify gaps in educational and therapeutic
programs, services and funding and provide recommendations
to close the identified gaps The commission is to submit its
reports, findings and recommendations to the governor and
Legislature by no later than September 30, 2007.
“Autism is the fastest growing developmental
disability in the U.S.,” Speaker Núñez
said in a news release announcing Dr. Firestone’s appointment.
“We need to understand the policy implications of this
growth and how the state should best prepare. The members
of this commission are all leaders in the area of autism and
will assist us in focusing on practical policy solutions and
creating the service infrastructure to meet the needs of people
with autism and their families.”
Dr. Firestone's appointment follows a press conference at
the State Capitol on April 13, 2005 that was jointly held
by The Help Group, Perata and Núñez to outline
the urgent need to optimize autism education and intervention
for all California children with ASD. They also called for
the development of this Commission in response to the growing
epidemic of autism, which affects one in 166 children in the
United States.
The Help Group invites you to join our experts and be a
part of the Support Network for parents of Children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Help Group's ASD Parent Support Network is pleased to
offer ongoing parent support groups with meetings on a monthly
basis. The support groups are designed for parents and families
of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.
These support groups are
offered at no cost to families and are held at The Help
Group's campuses in Sherman Oaks and Culver City. Each group
is facilitated by a team of experts, including parent of
a child with ASD and members of The Help Group's educational
and therapeutic staff.
Participants other than
parents are welcome to attend the meetings if they feel
they would be helpful. For more information about The Help
Group's ASD Parent Support Network, please contact Dr.
Gargi Dasgupta at (818) 779-5201.
Culver
City 
Valley
Glen 
See More News & Information... 
The
Help group celebrates six years of collaboration with
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® in reaching out to
parents, families and the community with the importance
of autism early identification and intervention. The Help
Group’s There is Hope, There is Help 2007 autism
awareness campaign, will be featured in the Coffee Bean’s
more than 200 retail stores throughout California and
in other western states during National Autism Awareness
month in April.
There is Help campaign is an effort to create awareness by reaching out to parents, families and to the community at large with current facts about autism. 
Dr. Barbara Firestone, President and CEO of The Help Group,
has been appointed the Vice Chair of the 16-member Legislative
Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism recently established by Senate
President Pro Tem Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez.
