The Help Group's Autism Awareness Day with Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky Delivers an Important Message of Ho

Sherman Oaks, CA (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- On April 9th, declared "The Help Group Autism Awareness Day" by the State of California and the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky joined The Help Group (http://www.thehelpgroup.org) in recognizing National Autism Awareness Month. In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Barbara Firestone, Help Group President & CEO, and Vice Chair of the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism (http://senweb03.senate.ca.gov/autism/index.HTMl), stated that "it is the beginning of a new era of positive and impactful change that is long overdue for individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders and their families." She also spoke of the Blue Ribbon Commission's autism legislative package of eight bills that was recently introduced to the legislature.

Mayor Villaraigosa presented The Help Group's Autism Heroes Award to Magdalena Beltrán del Olmo, VP of Communications for the California Wellness Foundation, Blue Ribbon Commissioner and parent of Frankie, who has an autism spectrum disorder. She was recognized for her heartfelt commitment to building public awareness about autism and bringing the message of hope to other families. In her acceptance remarks, she acknowledged the awareness efforts of her late husband, Pulitzer Prize winning Los Angeles Times journalist Frank del Olmo. Her son Frankie surprised her with a bouquet of flowers.

Gary Cole, The Help Group Celebrity Spokesperson, and his wife Teddi, last year's Autism Heroes Award recipients, addressed the audience saying, "We are thrilled to be here to recognize other parents like Magdalena Beltrán del Olmo for all that they do on behalf of children with autism." The Cole and del Olmo families are two of the 38 families featured in Dr. Firestone's recently released book "Autism Heroes: Portraits of Families Meeting the Challenge," (www.autismheroes.org) with photography by Joe Bussink, who was also recognized that day.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky congratulated The Help Group on its more than 30 years of service to the children and families of Los Angeles County. He presented The Help Group's Autism Leadership Award to ABC 7 Los Angeles for its integral role in promoting autism awareness and commented that "The media can play an integral role in autism awareness. ABC 7 has a long history of providing quality information to families in our community to promote health and well being of children." The Supervisor also announced that ABC 7 has produced a one hour special based on Autism Heroes that will air on Saturday, April 26th at 6:30 p.m. The Autism Leadership award was graciously accepted by ABC anchor Phillip Palmer.

Mayor Villaraigosa congratulated The Help Group and UCLA on the recent establishment of The Help Group/UCLA Autism Research Alliance and presented Mayoral commendations to Dr. Firestone and Dr. Peter Whybrow, Director of the UCLA Semel Institute. Dr. Whybrow spoke of the innovation and importance of the alliance in advancing the agenda of evidence based education and treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Help Group Chairman Gary H. Carmona and Dr. Firestone saluted Gelson's for hosting The Help Group's "There is Hope, There is Help" campaign throughout its chain of supermarkets for the second consecutive year. They applauded The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for its longstanding commitment to The Help Group's autism programs.

As part of its outreach efforts, Dr. Firestone announced that The Help Group will be giving more than 200 copies of "Autism Heroes" to families at the Special Needs Network conference, on Saturday, April 12th. This outreach initiative is part of a multi-site, multi-community book distribution program to underserved families made possible through a generous foundation grant.

To close the program, the children of The Help Group sang with Louis Price, former lead singer of the Temptations. With beaming smiles on their faces the children took their bow to a heartfelt standing ovation.

For more information about The Help Group's autism awareness campaign, schools and programs and Autism Heroes please visit http://www.thehelpgroup.org. For information about the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission, please visit http://senweb03.senate.ca.gov/autism/index.HTMl

ABOUT THE HELP GROUP AUTISM PROGRAMS

Founded in 1975, The Help Group serves children with a wide range of special needs and is the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit of its kind in the United States. Recognized as a leader in the field of autism, it offers extensive special education, therapy and assessment services. The Help Group provides special education programs to more than 750 students on a daily basis in its four innovative autism day schools.

Through its public awareness and outreach programs, graduate and postgraduate professional training, parent education programs and efforts at the state and national levels, The Help Group touches the lives of children with special needs across the United States and in other parts of the world.

Editors Note: photos and media interviews available upon request

MEDIA CONTACT:

John Farrimond 818-779-5212

Lisa Manafian 818-779-5327

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