WPBF News (West Palm Beach): Fund-Raiser Planned To Fight Autism

August 31, 2004

Fund-Raiser Planned To Fight Autism

Growing Number Of People Impacted By Brain Disorder

POSTED: 3:57 pm EDT August 31, 2004

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Some local parents are asking for help in raising money to

fight autism.

The goal of the National Alliance for Autism Research is to support efforts to

pinpoint a cause and find a cure for a disorder that's affecting a growing

number of people, such as 20-year-old Dan. Like many victims of autism, he

loves to sing.

" I think he was really telling us, you know, 'I can't tell you what's going on

in my head, but there's an awful lot more to me than you see,' " said Dan's

mother, Jaclyn Merens.

Guzy, whose 7-year-old son, Danny, also has autism, is hopeful about his

future.

" We certainly hope he can live on his own when he's an adult. We hope he can get

a job and vote and do all the things an active citizen should be doing, " Guzy

said.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that affects language, emotion and behavior.

Some people with autism often prefer to be alone, and make little eye contact

with others, while others are considered " high functioning, " and actively play

with their siblings.

" We love each other and we're best friends, " said Danny's brother, Matt Guzy.

But Merens said that most autism victims, including her son, Dan, require

life-long supervision and care.

" Verbally, and the way he's able to express himself is so limited at this point

that it will have a tremendous impact on him through his life, " Merens said.

Doctors have no clear cause and no cure for autism, and Guzy said the number of

people affected just keeps rising.

" There's one in every 166 children born with autism. It's bigger than everything

except mental retardation; higher numbers than everything. We have to find

why, " Guzy said.

The NAAR is holding a free luncheon to promote its fund-raising walk. The lunch

is Wednesday in Boca Raton.

For more information on the luncheon and how you can help in the battle against

autism, call NAAR at .

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