Our Vision

Why the Autism Resource Center was Created

Autism Spectrum Disorders now affects approximately 1 child in every 150, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which collected data through its Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM), a population-based, multi-state surveillance network that surveyed 8 year olds in 2000 and 2002.  The data represents 10 percent of the U.S. population of 8-year-old children.  In fact, Autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17% per year, with the prevalence level potentially reaching 4 million Americans in the next decade. 

The U.S. Census indicates that in 2005, there were 328,560 children under the age of 18 residing in the Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess region.  Based on the 1:150 prevalence of autism in the U.S., this statistic potentially means that there are approximately 21,704 children in the region living with Autism, many of whom have not been diagnosed and consequently, are not receiving early intervention services.  The NYS Education Department's Office of Vocational and Educational Service's 2004 Report stated that in the Hudson Valley only, 10.5% of children in preschool special education programs are preschoolers classified with Autism, when in all likelihood, the percentage of preschoolers with Autism is much higher. 

Autism Spectrum Disorders now affects approximately 1 child in every 150

Vision

Despite the increasing numbers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, there is still much confusion regarding the causes and no answers when it comes to a cure.  However, one thing is known for sure: implementing effective intensive early intervention maximizes the possibility of permanent neural rewiring that can raise a child’s level of cognitive functioning.  Therefore, this web site was created with the hope that you, as a parent of a child on the spectrum, professional, friend, or concerned member of the community will learn to recognize what the signs of autism are, and where to go and what to do after taking this first step. 

Goals of the Autism Resource Center include:

  • To provide a centralized location for parents, professionals, and concerned individuals to access information on Autism and listings of resources for children with Autism;
  • To provide a variety of educational opportunities (e.g. web site, workshops) for parents with autistic children and professionals working with children on the autistic spectrum to learn valuable and current information about Autism;
  • To provide parents with autistic children, and children, adolescents and adults with Autism with a means to network; and
  • To ensure that a greater number of children on the autistic spectrum receive accurate early diagnostic and intervention services.

Birth to age three is a critical time in a child’s development, so a delayed diagnosis may compromise his/her chances for success.  The Autism Resource Center not only aims to create greater awareness and consequently, improved early identification, but also hopes to ensure that children on the autistic spectrumreceive more comprehensive and effective care from better educated parents and professionals.

With these statistics in mind, PARC, a not-for-profit organization that is at the forefront in providing advocacy and programming for children and adults with developmental disabilities within the geographic region of Putnam County, northern Westchester and southern Dutchess counties, created the Autism Resource Center in 2007, to serve as a centralized location for parents, professionals, and concerned individuals living in the Hudson Valley region to access information and listings of resources pertaining to Autism.  Functioning as an information clearinghouse, PARC hopes to increase awareness of Autism, create opportunities for more children on the autistic spectrum to receive accurate early diagnostic and intervention services, and to bridge the information gap for those with concerns.