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Autism Telethon Raises more than $150,000

Autism Telethon Raises more than $150,000 - Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 3:04PM EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- In its first-ever telethon, Friendship House teamed up with WBRE to raise money for the services it provides for children with autism. And the grand total was $152,392!
Volunteers answered phones, businesses presented checks, and people opened up their hearts and wallets to help children with autism.

"The generosity has been outstanding," said Debbie Dudley, Assistant Director of Development at Friendship House. "The economy is kind of slow and we understand that, but somehow, somewhere people find it in their heart when they see some of the films and the things families have to go through."

Friendship House is building a new 14,000 square foot facility worth $1.6 million. The designer knows about autism first-hand.

"I have a six-year-old boy we had diagnosed two years ago," said Brian Doran, the architect on the new facility. "He's doing well in kindergarten now, and he's making tons of progress."

He says knowing the traits of children with autism helped with the design. Many are hypersensitive to certain sights and sounds.

"We have everything from quiet flushing toilets to special lights that don't allow for flickering," said Doran," And a lot of colors throughout the building are softer, as opposed to bright, jarring colors which could set off a child."

Friendship House plans to make socialization and communication focal points of the new facility.

"About half with autism are non-verbal, and about 70 percent are non-verbal under times of stress," said Christine Remick, the Clinical Director of Autism Services.

She hopes the donations from the telethon will be enough to help Friendship House buy audio devices, rather than rent them, for non-verbal children.

"The kids need to have their voice with them all the time," Remick said.

For more information on Friendship House, paste the following in your web browser: http://friendshiphousepa. org.
 


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