The mission of the Autism Society of America promotes lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum to be fully participating members of their community. Education, advocacy at state and federal levels, active public awareness and the promotion of research form the cornerstones for ASA's efforts to carry forth its mission.

The growing membership base ASA encompasses a broad, divers group of parents, family members, special education teachers, administrators, medical doctors, therapists, nurses and aides, as well as countless other personnel involved in the education care, treatment and support of individuals with autism. Recognizing and respecting the diverse range of opinions, needs and desires of this group. ASA embraces an overall philosophy which chooses to empower individuals with autism, their parents or caregivers, to make choices best suited to the needs of the person with autism.

At the very core of the parent choice philosophy is the belief that no single program or treatment will benefit all individuals with autism. Furthermore, the recommendation of what is "best" or "most effective" for a person with autism should be determined by those people directly involved - the individual with autism, to the extent possible, and the parents or family members. Providing information and education to help in decision-making are more highly regarded at ASA than is advocating for particular theory or philosophy.

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CMF Highlight

• $1500.00 contribution check at 2005 CMF Fundraising Event