Autism Awareness Night

The first ever Autism Awareness Night was held in 2004, featuring local autism walk chairs (then with the National Alliance for Autism Research) and Dr. Ralph Wilps, clinical psychologist. The goal was to bring together families as well as members of the community as a means of raising Autism Awareness during the month of April. This event has grown tremendously over the past four years - in fact, in 2007 alone, over 350 people attended! 

This annual event brings in immediate families as well as extended family members, neighbors, doctors, teachers, aides, and other paraprofessionals. Each year has a focus or theme; past years have included psychologists, parents of children with Autism, and a speech and language pathologist. Autism Awareness Night is usually held at the end of April. For our 4th Annual Autism Awareness Night, we were proud and honored to host Dr. Nancy Minshew, world-renowned researcher and chief investigator with CeFAR (Center for Excellence in Autism Research), and Jeff Hudale, a self-advocate living with Asperger’s Syndrome. Our focus was the latest advances in Autism research. The 5th Annual Autism Awareness Night, held April 2, 2008 was an incredible event that supported the community during the 1st International World Autism Awareness Day. Ms. Rebecca Klaw, founder of ASK (Autism Services by Klaw), explained to the audience how babies and toddlers learn and process their environment. Her presentation aided parents and professionals in understanding a child's deficits early on, and the role of the adult in development and teaching.

2009 was another record-setting year for Autism Awareness Night. Dr. Diane Williams, PhD, CCC-SLP, assistant professor at Duquesne University and research investigator with the Center for Excellence in Autism Research, presented "Developing Language in Children with Autism: Insights from Neuroscience." Hundreds of families, professionals, educators, and other members of our community joined together on the second World Autism Awareness Day at the Holiday Inn, North Hills. The event was an incredible success.

We would like to thank to the FBR staff who assisted in organizing both the event itself, and the respite care option for children. 

Additionally, thank you to our 2009 Sponsors:

ABOARD
Achieva
Autism Speaks
Center for Excellence in Autism Research
Children's Institute
Communty Care Behavioral Health
HOPE Learning Center
Hotpack Huggies
Nathan Speech Services
PACE School
Rehablitiation Specialists, Inc.
The Safety Sleeper
University of Pittsburgh's Early Intervention Autism Specialization Program

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SAVE THE DATE!
FBR’s 7th Annual Autism Awareness Night
April 1, 2010
6:30PM-9PM
Doubletree Hotel - Monroeville, PA
Keynote Speakers Dr. Nancy Minshew and Dr. John McGonigle will give critical scientific research updates from CeFAR (Center for Excellence in Autism Research) and the Western Region ASERT Center.

Please scroll down to our events listing for more information and learn how to register! 

Walk Now for Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks ... and we are listening!

Led by our team captain, Rick Murray, the FBR H.O.P.E. (“Helping Others’ Potential Expand”) for Tomorrow Team is comprised of dedicated staff and families whom together have raised over $219,000 for autism research from 2004-2009. Our team has hundreds of walkers, and grows each year. We are proud to share that for the past three years, the FBR H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow Team has been the #1 service provider team in the region!

The message of “H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow” is for the community to stand united as we struggle to understand the puzzling mystery of autism, and search for the answers that families so desperately seek. We wish to inspire hope in each family we touch – encouraging them to never give up in the fight against autism.

The Walk Now for Autism Speaks is held each year at Heinz Field, usually the first Saturday in June. Visit http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/pittsburgh, to learn more about the Walk, or to sign up as a walker, to register a family team, or to join a team. You are certainly welcome join the FBR H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow Team!

We hold a number of fundraisers and “in-house kickoffs” each year to inspire staff and families to support the team. Look for events and opportunities all year long – check our Calendar of Events for details!

Where does all that money go? We're happy to share that with you. In 2007, over $600,000 of the $1.2 million raised in our region returned to the Pittsburgh area for local researchers who work tirelessly to unlock the mystery of Autism! Monies also support other research being conducted around the world, community grants, and family services to name a few ways that your dollars are working. For those unaware, the Family Services committee created its one of a kind "100 Day Kit" for newly diagnosed families. Learn about this and the other efforts of Autism Speaks by visiting their site, www.autismspeaks.org.

Where Else is FBR?
We’re all over the place! Other events that you can find FBR participating in include: 

ABOARD Annual Conference
ABOARD & Autism Help Network's Family Swim Night
ABOARD & Autism Help Network's Family Field Day
ABOARD's Annual Gala
Autism Awareness Day at PNC Park - Co-Sponsored by Autism Speaks, Athletes Against Autism and the Pittsburgh Pirates with support from FBR Bridges to Hope and the Autism Society of Butler County
Butler County Kids FREE Expo
California University of PA's Annual P.E.P. Rally for Autism
Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community (in support of ABOARD)
Kidapalooza
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg - Annual Health Fair 

You may have seen us in print! FBR has been featured in:

All 4 Kidz Magazine
Daily News - McKeesport
North Hills Monthly Magazine
Observer-Reporter
Pittsburgh Parent Magazine
Tribune-Review & Trib Total Media
Union-Finley Messenger
Valley News Dispatch
Autism Globe

FBR is featured during Autism Awareness Month 2008:
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/s_563228.html
Past Articles:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_509774.html
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_329928.html
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_330156.html

Workshops and Seminars
FBR hosts a number of workshops and seminars throughout the year. Some are hosted through support groups, while others are a separate structure, presented to a larger audience.

Calendar of Events

Do you have questions about our calendar of events? Please contact Cathy Hughes, Family Support Coordinator, at the Autism Services Office, 1-866-4-FBR-ASD or at autismservices@familybehavioralresources.com. We'll direct you to the right contact person(s) for more information!

Are you on Facebook? Another way to receive updates about events is to become a fan of Family Behavioral Resources! "Fan" our page today if you are a member, and you will receive event updates from us.

COMING SOON:

Interactive Calendar of Events - Keep watching for updates!