Autism Advocacy Resources

The Super Swimmers Foundation was created as a means of providing support, guidance and education for the parents and children of Autism or other special needs. They have a true love for children, which guides them to strive to teach every child to swim safely and successfully in the water. They also have the ultimate goal in creating a super center, which combines education and fitness opportunities that will enrich the lives of community families. As a means of helping to further educate people about Autism through advocacy measures, here are some links that may provide beneficial material, information or assistance to those facing the daily challenges of Autism or for those who know and love one of these special individuals.

Healthcare: http://www.childrensdiagnostic.org
A provider of the Early Steps Program (Broward’s Early Intervention Program)- This comprehensive program, which is supported by state and federal funds, provides multidisciplinary evaluations and interventions to infants and toddlers who are a high risk for, or who are identified as having, developmental disabilities or handicapping conditions.

Education: http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/information/mckay
Florida's school choice programs ensure that no child will be left behind by allowing parents to choose the best educational setting—public or private—for their child. The McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program enables a parent of a special needs student to select the school that will provide the most benefit to the student as an individual catering to their unique abilities and preferences for intellectual growth.

Autism Resources: http://www.autismspeaks.org
Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism. They provide beneficial information that helps people to better understand what Autism is and how they can support ongoing research and support into this puzzling disorder.

Autism Advocacy/ Getting Involved: http://surfersforautism.org
Surfer’s For Autism is a not-for-profit organization designed to support the efforts of a collaboration of surfers, volunteers and sponsors dedicated to bringing the sport of surfing to families and children affected by autism.

Swim With Mr. Blue: http://www.superswimmersfoundation.org
The Super Swimmers Foundation is dedicated to teaching ALL children with autism and special needs to learn to swim both safely and successfully in the water, therefore improving their speech, muscular development, and confidence in a fun, loving environment.

Autism is still such a mystery, with no known cause and no known cure. According to The Washington Post approximately one in every one hundred and fifty children in the United States has autism or a closely related disorder. If these statistics were applied nationwide beyond the fourteen states where the data was collected and applied to all fifty U.S. states the number would be 560,000. These numbers alone make autism an "urgent public health issue" and a "major public health concern," said Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, chief of the developmental disabilities branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which conducted the survey.

It is through perseverance that researchers will one day put all of the pieces together and solve the mystery of Autism. Until then it is the duty of every being to stand together and fight this battle through understanding and support.

For more information about Advocacy for Autism Resources, view our additional articles.