SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ — Michigan’s leading charity for autism, Jack’s Place for Autism, will hold its 4th Annual “Autism Awareness Day” September 9 at Comerica Park, it was announced today.

Through support of The Detroit Tigers, Detroit Tigers Foundation and Pepsi, Jack’s Place was able to provide 400 game tickets to people and families impacted by autism. The charity is also selling an additional 500 tickets to generate awareness of autism and provide direct help to families through health and support programs.
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This is not your typical Autism News Direct post but it is just something I couldn’t pass up.  I am a subscriber to AutismLink and this morning my inbox had an email that states Britney Spears is concerned that her youngest son, Jayden James, may have autism.  Spears attended an autism fundraiser by Generation Rescue which evidently raised some eyebrows.

The original report, posted on the yellmalta.com website states:

Jayden James, the son Britney shares with Kevin Federline “often seems to be in his own world,” said a Federline insider. In contrast to his vigorous and cheerful brother Sean Preston, the 2-year-old boy is very calm and hard to get through to. His mum worries that he could be autistic as the kid does not mix with other children, and prefers to keep away from the crowd.

Evidently Federline and Spears are hoping to secure a full developmental assessment in the near future for Jayden.

Talk About Curing Autism to Host Southern California Celebrity Gala

COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Jenny McCarthy, actress, comedian and model will co-host a major fundraiser to benefit families affected by autism with Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France champion road racing cyclist.
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(Raleigh, NC) August 4, 2008 - The local non-profit organization, Spare Some For Autism, is currently accepting grants from educators working with Children on the Autism Spectrum in the Wake County Public School System. These grants will benefit children with autism participating in the WCPSS’s special needs programs during the 2008-2009 school year. The deadline for grant applications is August 30th, and the grants will be distributed by September 30th, 2008.

“We understand how beneficial these grants are to the special needs programs in the Wake County Public School System,” said Beth Jarvis, Executive Director of Spare Some For Autism. “We want the recipients to get the most out of this grant towards their education.”

About Spare Some for Autism
Spare Some for Autism seeks to improve the quality of life for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We are dedicated to funding programs that will directly impact the individuals that suffer from ASD and allow them to achieve their highest level of independence within their home, school, and community, all while gaining respect and support for themselves.

Spare Some for Autism also seeks to support families affected by ASD by educating them on such topics as literacy and coping with disabilities so that families will be better prepared to support each other. Spare some time, spare some love, spare some hope. For more information about becoming a sponsor or how to take part in the 2009 Spare Some for Autism Bowling Challenge, visit www.sparesomeforautism.org.

Media Contact:
Graham Wilson
PRStreet, Inc.
gwilson@prstreet.com or
919.467.5567

US Autism & Asperger Association (USAAA) 2008 International Conference Scholarships Available

Due to a generous donation from CARE Clinics to the USAAA Conference Scholarship Fund, USAAA is offering partial and full conference registration scholarships to parents and family members of children affected by autism who would not otherwise be able to attend the USAAA 2008 conference September 4-7 in Austin, Texas. Full scholarships are considered for single moms or dads, grandparents, unemployed, on disability and financial constraints. Partial scholarships are considered for those who are in financial constraints and must travel to the conference.
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