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Matt Asner, Chairman of California Autism Speaks receives a $10,000 check from Sal Flores of the Moskowitz Foundation last week at the Hawaiian Gardens Bingo Club.
By Brian Hews
In an ongoing battle to win the war on Autism, the Irving J. Moskowitz Foundation made a generous $10,000 award to California Autism Speaks in a ceremony last week at the Hawaiian Gardens Bingo Club.
Sal Flores, who is with the Moskowitz Foundation, presented Matt Asner, Chairman of California Autism Speaks with a ceremonial giant check. Los Cerritos Community Newspaper Publisher and Owner Brian Hews also attended the event.
Asner, a successful film and television producer, is also the son of legendary Hollywood actor Ed Asner, and he opened up to LCCN about how Autism has dramatically affected their lives.
“My son and another family member both have Autism, so for me to be involved as the Chairman of California Autism Speaks is very personal,” Asner said.
Asner said it was “an honor to have the Moskowitz Foundation makes such a generous donation.”
Asner also pointed out that Autism Speaks is the largest non-profit organization in the world. Its main objective is to fund autism science, advocacy, and to fund research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism.
“Autism now touches every segment of our society, it does not discriminate from gender or race,” Asner said.
“We will be increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families,” Asner continues.
“We are proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead. We look forward to expanding our relationship here in the Hawaiian Gardens community and with the Moskowitz Foundation,” Asner said.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children receive autism screening at 18 and 24 months of age.
A spokesperson with Autism Speaks said that the “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development.”
“These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. They include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome,” the organization stresses.
Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age.
“Autism Speaks continues to fund research on effective methods for earlier diagnosis, as early intervention with proven behavioral therapies can improve outcomes. Increasing autism awareness is a key aspect of this work and one in which our families and volunteers play an invaluable role,” the organization stresses.
