HOPE FOR THREE PRESENTS FIRST SCHOLARSHIP TO TEXANA CENTER CLIENT
Hope for Three awarded its very first scholarship to Matthew G., age 7 years, a Texana Center client who has autism spectrum disorder. Because of this grant Matthew will be receiving in-home Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for six months. The grant will pay in-home therapists who will work with Matthew weekly to do assessments, ongoing treatment and program development and staff training by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Kate Johnson-Patagoc, Director of Texana’s Specialized Children’s Services commented “We are thrilled that Hope for Three was able to help Matthew and his family with this scholarship. Intensive ABA is the most proven effective treatment for autism. Unfortunately this can be expensive in the short term and out of reach for some families, but the payoff in the child’s progress is huge! Texana Center could not be more pleased that Hope for Three is able to help children this way”.
Hope for Three, a local non-profit organization with a mission to raise community awareness and provide educational resources and support to families with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This non-profit was inspired by Hope and Eric Montgomery of Richmond whose triplet daughters were all diagnosed with autism and attends the Texana Children’s Center for Autism. Board President, Darla Farmer, saw firsthand the saw firsthand the challenges a family with children affected by autism experiences and immediately wanted to help these families gain access to treatment and services they deserve, but cannot afford. “For most families, the struggles and challenges to find money to treat their child are overwhelming and exhausting. We are honored to provide assistance to Matthew so he may continue to thrive and reach his full potential” stated Mrs. Farmer.
As we enter April, which is designated as Autism Awareness Month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new figures showing that there has been a 23% increase from 2006 to 2008 in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. One in 88 American children is now on the autism spectrum, up from 1 in 110. The figures are even higher for boys, with 1 in 54 8-year-olds now counted on the spectrum. Of course, behind these statistics are real families, real children struggling each and every day. For further information visit www.texanacenter.com and www.hopeforthree.org.
