The Autism Project is

a"Hub of Hope ' that

connects people with a

spectrum of needs to the

education and resources

that support meaningful,

purposeful lives.

OPERATION:DISCONNECT TORECONNECT

JANUARY 2020

IMAGINEWALK &

FAMILYFUN DAY

APRIL 2020

SPONSORSHIP

2020

©

BRIEF OVERVIEWThe Autism Project

DID YOU KNOW?   

The Autism Project is a unique collaboration of parents, professionals andcommunity members who provide quality support, training and programmingthat is accessible to all children and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder,their families and those who work with them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 59children had a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by age 8. ASD is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States.Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilitiesthat can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.People with ASDs handle information in their brain differently than otherpeople.Autism Spectrum Disorders are “spectrum disorders.” That means ASDsaffect each person in different ways and can range from very mild to severe.

SUPPORT, TRAININGAND HOPEThe Autism Project

At The Autism Project we understand because we've been through it. We areparents and professionals who connect with you to provide support, education,and strategies for the spectrum of needs in your home, classroom, ororganization.

THE FACTS:

You can have a positive and lasting impacton the health and well-being of childrenand their families. Your support of the 2020 Operation:Disconnect to Reconnect and 2020 ImagineWalk will enable The Autism Project tomaintain and expand programming,trainings and support needed to meet thegrowing needs of those we support! You can make a difference in the lives ofthose in your community we support bybecoming a 2020 Sponsor.

"When we look only above the

surface, we tend to blame the

child, the parent, or the

caregiver. Looking below the

surface opens new pathways

for seeing the child’s behaviors

as adaptations to an array of

emotional and physiological

needs, resulting in more

compassion and less blame.”-

Dr. Mona Delahooke, PhD

WE NEED YOURSUPPORT IN 2020The Autism Project

Answer the call of newly diagnosed parents.

Inform and educate newly diagnosed families and caregivers what tools

and resources are avaliable for them.

Provide informative training for parents, professionals and caregivers.

21

Consult in

Schools Districts

2500

Train

Professionals

1070

Spend

Hours Consulting

31 

Provide

Weeks of Social

Skills Groups

2

Host

Weeks of Camp

WANNAGOAGAIN!

SUPPORT

1145 

Parents

448

Professionals

100

Grandparents/Other

TRAIN

2886

Parents

Professionals Caregivers

CALL

Support

Calls

5000

Make Over

HOW SPONSORS MAKE ADIFFERENCE The Autism Project

YOUR SUPPORT ALLOWS US TO:

SUPPORT FROM 2019 SPONSORS HELPED US TO:

Support for

Families Navigation of

Resources

One-on-One

Parent Meetings

Parent to Parent

Training

Multilingual

Parent Support Community

Outreach

ALLOWED US TO PROVIDE:

SUPPORT SUPPORT

IMPROVE OUR SOCIALMEDIA MAKETINGPLAN.

Interact with othersRegulate emotions and behaviorsSolve problemsCommunicate effectively

Was created as a way to bringawareness  to an issue afffecting somany today!  THE CRISISWe are in crisis as technology increasinglyreplaces human interaction. Positive social connections with people at allstages of life help ensure healthydevelopment, both physically andemotionally. Our  society's increasd screentime directly relates to major difficultiesdeveloping the ability to: 

If we are spending excessive time consumingdigital media, we are missing out on importantunstructured free time  that is critical for ourcognitive and social emotional development ,well-being and problem solving skills. Parents have heard that they should belimiting their Childrens' screen time,  and this istrue. But studies show that too much timespent on phones, TVs and laptops has adverseeffects on adults also, from weight gain topoor sleep and brain atrophy.

OPERATION:DISCONNECT TORECONNECT

JANUARY 26, 2020

Beocome a sponsor

Pledge to disconnect from your phoneand electronics!  

Ask others to join you in the effort bypledging or supporting you by donatingfor each hour disconnected! 

Modeling healthy device usage yourself —Children learn by example — andencouraging offline social interaction andphysical activity will encourage healthyfamily habits when interacting withtechnology. OUR GOALTo spread awareness, provide alternateactivities and raise money while connectingwith those around us! HOW YOU CAN HELP?

Example:8 Hours at $5 an hour = $40 donation 

Your involvement is critical to our successand solving this issue. Thank you for your help!

IMPROVE OUR SOCIALMEDIA MAKETINGPLAN.

The Autism Project’s Annual Imagine Walk andFamily Fun Day for Autism is one of the largestwalk events in Rhode Island and is held inconjunction with National Autism Awarenessmonth, ensuring tremendous visibility for ourcause and our Walk, throughout the month ofApril. Walk attendance and outreach hasincreased each year, with over 8,500 participants.The Imagine Walk attracts family membersyoung and old, educators, health careprofessionals and others working to supportthose with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

IMAGINEWALK &

FAMILY FUNDAY

APRIL 26, 2020

Funds raised through the Imagine Walk godirectly towards programs, services andtrainings for children, teens and adults livingwith an Autism Spectrum Disorder and theirfamilies and/or caretakers. The ImagineWalk is The Autism Project’s targestfundraiser of the year and has generatedover $2 million dollars in support oftransforming the lives of children and adultswith Autism. We hope you will join us in 2019 and be apart of the transformation!

Date: April 26, 2020Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: Goddard Memorial State Park, Warwick, Rhode IslandExpected Attendance: 8,500 +

The Imagine Walk kicks off at 10:00 a.m. and is enjoyed by thousands of

individuals and teams as they walk through beautiful Goddard Park. The walk isfollowed by a Family Fun Day event that features an assortment of activities

designed for children and teens with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as forother members of their family.