Easter Seals and ASA

							Easter Seals and the Autism Society of America Explore Partnership to
Improve the Lives of People living with Autism

Easter Seals and the Autism Society of America (ASA) have agreed to work together on strategic
projects designed to address the profound needs of individuals with autism and their families.

As the fastest growing developmental disability in the world today—increasing at an annual rate of 10-17
percent—more than 1.5 million Americans currently live with autism and as many as one in every 166
children is diagnosed with the condition each year. Autism has become a public health crisis, with
millions of families desperate for solutions, resources and policy improvements.

Easter Seals, as the nation’s leading provider of services and support for children and adults living with
autism today, and ASA, as the largest and oldest autism advocacy and family support organization in the
world, bring a unique wealth of knowledge and services to the many people, families and professionals
who face autism and its many challenges across the lifespan.

“We share a common goal: to improve the lives of children and adults with autism,” said James E.
Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals.

“We are very excited about working closely with Easter Seals to explore ways our organizations can
create innovative programs to serve the autism community,” said Lee Grossman, President and CEO of
ASA.

Easter Seals and ASA plan to spend the next six months exploring programs and initiatives that will help
improve the lives of individuals living with autism. A few likely areas of focus for the partnership include:

      Establishing a national and international network of organizations that help people with autism to
       share knowledge, best practices and effective treatments
      Developing systems that help improve access to and delivery of local autism services and
       treatments
      Co-sponsoring a series of research-based consensus conferences and promoting outcomes
      Working with media to increase awareness and understanding of the needs of the autism
       community

About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental
disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs. For more than 85 years, we have
been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love
them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals create life-changing
solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play in their communities. Support
children and adults with disabilities at http://www.easterseals.com/.

About Autism Society of America
ASA is the largest, oldest autism organization in the U.S., with over 100,000 members and supporters
and 200 local chapters leading advocacy, support, research and service initiatives. ASA is dedicated to
increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with autism,
their families and the professionals with whom they interact. For more information on autism or ASA,
visit http://www.autism-society.org/ or call 1.800.3AUTISM.