National Program Launched to Combat Divorce Rates in Autism Community

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FIRST

NATIONAL PROGRAM LAUNCHED TO COMBAT DIVORCE RATES IN AUTISM COMMUNITY

Nixa, MO – Today the

National Autism Association (NAA) announced its launching of The Family First

Program, a comprehensive national marital counseling program to combat

divorce rates within the autism community. The new initiative offers couples

with autistic children immediate access to marital counseling, and a grant

program for those unable to afford it.

Caring for an

autistic child often can result in marital hardship and isolation, but with

the help of OnDemand services, couples don’t have to leave their home to seek

guidance. “Many couples have a difficult time going to counseling due to

limited childcare options,” says parent and NAA Executive Director Rita

Shreffler. “We partnered with the OnDemand company Luminent Counseling so

that couples have access to trained, certified therapists without needing to

leave their home.”

NAA also hopes

general awareness about the rising divorce rates will spark positive dialogue

within the autism community. “The main goal of Family First is to keep

families together,” says NAA Board Member and parent Lori McIlwain. “For

many, this could mean providing a stronger foundation for their children to

progress, two-income potential, and less stress on one parent.”

NAA is presently

conducting a national divorce survey of autism families. Several

organizations and news outlets have used the often-quoted autism divorce rate

of 80%--NAA hopes to confirm or update that percentage before referencing it

in its program materials.

The new Family

First program will work in tandem with NAA’s Helping Hand Project. Since

2004, Helping Hand has provided tens of thousands of dollars to autism

families in need for medical and therapy interventions.

The Centers for

Disease Control now estimates that 1 in 150 children are on the spectrum,

which means every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with autism.

HOW THE FAMILY

FIRST PROGRAM WORKS:

Couples can visit

http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/familyfirst.php.

There, they will find information about the program and can choose from a

listing of certified marriage counselors. Rates are discounted for NAA

visitors, but if financial aid is needed, couples can download the Family

First Grant Application at http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/familyfirstapp07.pdf.

To make a

tax-deductible donation to Family First, please visit http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/proddetail.php?prod=FamilyFirstDonation

For more

information or ways to volunteer, write to lori@....

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