Little City Foundation Wraps Up Largest Autism Awareness Campaign in Its 50-year History Throughout Chicago Area

Little City's multi-touch, integrated marketing communications campaign included TV commercials,  placement on the Metra, CTA, billboards, newspapers, social media channels, letters, a dedicated autism web page and even a special series on cable TV

PALATINE, Ill., June 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to educate the community, generate awareness for autism and acquire new donors to support hundreds of Illinois' most vulnerable citizens, Little City Foundation implemented its most aggressive awareness campaign in 50 years.

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"One of our main goals was to place a 'face' on autism and humanize popular statistics surrounding the prevalent spectrum disorder," commented Executive Director Shawn E. Jeffers.  "We also wanted people to realize that although supporting research is important, there are children living with autism today (some abandoned by their families and others that require 24/7 care) that need their support now."

To prove as impactful as possible, Little City humanized autism statistics while remaining positive.  The campaign, which ran from mid-May to mid-June, showcased the personalities of six Little City children in the children's residential program and spotlighted bright smiling faces while creatively incorporating the following statistics:

• "1 out of 110 children in the U.S. have an autism spectrum disorder." —"Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, United States, 2006," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dec. 18, 2009
• "1 in 70 boys in the U.S. have an autism spectrum disorder." —"Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, United States, 2006," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dec. 18, 2009
• 1 out of 63 births in Illinois is an infant with a developmental disability like autism. —Braddock and Heller at University of Illinois, 2009

The various pieces of media began with "I am the ONE" or "I am the ONE out of every 110, etc."

With goals not only to educate the public about critical support needed for Illinois' most vulnerable children living with autism, Little City also desired to serve as a resource for parents and spur a dialogue about autism in the general community.

The premiere of Little City TV on Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) served as the only live autism awareness show in Chicago and featured leading experts covering various topics from specialized, primary healthcare and oral care to clothing and exercise specifically developed for children with autism.

To learn more, visit www.littlecity.org/autism.

To support children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit www.littlecity.org/support.

To view segments from Little City TV or obtain resources on autism, visit www.littlecity.org/autism.

To view photos from the autism awareness/acquisition campaign, visit www.flickr.com/photos/littlecity/sets/72157624095405820/.

To join Little City on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/LittleCityFoundation.

For complete information, visit www.littlecity.org or contact Lisa Hoffmann at [email protected] or 847-221-7825.

About Little City Foundation

For more than 50 years, Little City Foundation has developed innovative and personalized programs to fully assist and empower children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.  With a commitment to attaining a greater quality of life for Illinois' most vulnerable citizens, Little City actively promotes choice, person-centered planning and a holistic approach to health and wellness.  Little City's ChildBridge services include in-home personal and family supports, clinical and behavior intervention, 24/7 residential services and special needs foster care and adoption.  Little City's LifePath Adult Services offers a variety of residential options, employment opportunities, home-based services, case management, day supports, Special Olympics, an award-winning Center for the Arts and more. The organization has a 56-acre campus in Palatine and offices in Chicago.  Visit www.littlecity.org. 

About Little City TV

In celebration of Autism Awareness Month in April of 2010, Little City Foundation, in partnership with CAN TV (Chicago Access Network Television), hosted the only live autism awareness show in Chicago with access to more than one million viewers.  For 13 straight weeks on CAN TV 21 on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Little City features experts and industry leaders in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities and serves as a much-needed resource, answering pressing questions related to the fastest-growing developmental disability affecting the nation—autism spectrum disorder.  Viewers have an opportunity to gain useful insight as Little City brings timely topics to the table and stimulates the dialogue about topical issues in the world of autism.  To view all episodes from Little City TV, visit www.littlecity.org/autism.  

SOURCE Little City Foundation