Make the First Five Years of Life Really Count for Kids with Autism this April

Shop with Easter Seals Partners to Make Sure Kids Have Access to Early Identification and Treatment

CHICAGO, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Children aren't being diagnosed with autism as early in life as possible. The average age for an autism diagnosis is 48 months for Autistic Disorder, 53 months for ASD/PDD and 75 months for Asperger's Disorder*; it's possible to diagnose children as early as 24 months. Earlier detection gives children that critical window of opportunity and access to early intervention and treatment.

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That's why a handful of Easter Seals national corporate partners are teaming up with the organization to Make the First Five Count® this month, hosting several fund and awareness raising activities in stores across the country. By donating to Easter Seals, you help individuals with autism get the care, guidance and support they need—when they need it most.

Shop Where it Counts 
"Autism services and programs for the youngest children with disabilities or developmental delays are in high demand," says Patricia Wright, Ph.D., MPH, National Director of Autism Services, Easter Seals. "The strong relationships we have with our family of corporate partners allow us to expand our reach, giving even more children the help they need to live healthy, independent lives."

This spring, many companies are working with Easter Seals to make sure all children under the age of five have access to early identification and treatment. Here are some simple ways to support Make the First Five Count:

• Complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaires® by Brookes Publishing at MaketheFirstFiveCount.org. Through the generous support of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, parents and caregivers have free access to the online screening tool to monitor their child's development.
• This April, shop at any Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Dominick's, or Carrs store and make a donation at checkout to its People with Disabilities Campaign to support Easter Seals autism and early intervention services.
• Do your Easter shopping at easterseals.com/flowers and ProFlowers will donate $10 to Easter Seals services for young kids.
• Join the CENTURY 21® recycling campaign at facebook.com/century21. For every old cell phone you donate, Easter Seals gets $3.
• Donate to Easter Seals autism services at haircuttery.com and receive $3 off your next salon service of $25 or more. Hair Cuttery will match a portion of each donation (up to $10,000) made online or in its salons during April.
• Shop at any A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts store and donate to Easter Seals autism services at checkout. Take part in a free "Make & Take" crafting event on April 21.

Help Kids Get the Best Start in Life
Every year, more than one million young children with unidentified disabilities—including autism—enter school with learning and health issues that put them far behind their peers and have a lasting, negative effect on their ability to meet their full potential. When kids get the right treatment and therapy they need before the age of five, they are ready to learn alongside their peers, build lifelong skills and achieve their dreams.

"Today, one in 88 children are diagnosed with autism, for boys it's one in 54, and there's an increasing need for funding, services and support," adds Wright. "Easter Seals serves more than 16,000 individuals with autism, up from 5,000 three years ago. It's important to remember getting the right support at the earliest stage in life can help a child gain the skills he or she needs to be successful."

Easter Seals believes every individual with autism should have access to effective services and support, and guidance at every life stage.

About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is a leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For more than 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.MaketheFirstFiveCount.org.

*"Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders – Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 13 Sites, United States, 2008." March 30, 2012 / 61(SSo3); 1-19. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCE Easter Seals

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