Easter Seals is shining the spotlight on its services for individuals living with autism, and sharing the results of Easter Seals Living With Autism Study to provide a roadmap for the services and supports that families living with autism desperately need.

"World Autism Awareness Day provides Easter Seals with an opportunity to help raise awareness about autism services and treatments available to families today and a forum for sharing what we knows about effective interventions with others in countries around the globe," says James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. "There are a number of wonderful organizations researching and seeking a cause and cure for autism. Easter Seals is unique as the nation's leading provider of services and support for children and adults living with autism."

Parents of children with autism are struggling with a host of worries that affect every aspect of their lives, and are particularly fearful that their family will lack the lifelong supports needed to address the significant challenges of autism, according to the study, which was supported by MassMutual Financial Group.

Autism is a growing public-health crisis, with families desperate for solutions and resources. Easter Seals and others in the autism community are doing their best, but current systems, structures and resources to help people with autism and their families don't adequately meet the growing need, especially for adults with autism, the study finds.

Study Confirms Parents' Fears

The study results, released in December, reveal parents raising children with autism are very concerned about the future independence of their children. In fact, they're far more concerned than parents of typically developing children - nearly 80% say they're extremely or very concerned about their children's independence as an adult, compared with only 32% of other parents. This is especially true regarding their financial independence, quality of life, social and inter-personal connections, and employment and housing opportunities.

"The study quantifies what we've heard anecdotally over the years," says Patricia Wright, Ph.D., MPH, Easter Seals national director, autism services. "The one consistent message Easter Seals hears from the families we serve - after the initial apprehension and anxiety of learning their child has autism - is an overwhelming concern about the lifelong supports their child with autism may need."

Today, as many as one in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism - that's a new diagnosis every 20 minutes - making autism more prevalent than Down syndrome, childhood diabetes, and childhood cancer combined.

Critical Need for Services

Every family living with a person who has autism faces unique challenges. Early detection and intervention are the essential first steps.

"There is an urgent need for increased funding and services - especially for adults with autism," Williams adds. "We want to help change all of this and make a difference for families living with autism today."

Autism Is Treatable

While autism is a lifelong disability, it is treatable. "People living with autism - at any age - are capable of making significant progress through personalized interventions and therapy; and, can and do lead meaningful lives," Wright says.

A basic rule for treating autism is the earlier the intervention, the better. If parents are worried their child may have autism, they should follow their instincts, share their concerns with their pediatrician, contact their early intervention system, get a diagnosis, and seek help from service providers such as Easter Seals. Autism is a lifelong spectrum disorder that affects each individual differently and in varying degrees.  Getting the right help at the earliest stage of life can help a child gain the skills he or she needs to be successful.

Visit http://www.actforautism.org to learn more about autism and to read the findings of the Easter Seals Living with Autism Study.