Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.
Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.
PCDA Press Releases
Parents Rally on Capitol Steps for A Choice of Autism Treatment Options
Parents of children diagnosed with Autism journeyed to Sacramento from across California on June 9th to gather on the steps of the State Capitol to demand a choice of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) treatment options for their children.
The parents were joined by many D.I.R.®/Floortime practitioners. D.I.R.®/Floortime is a developmental intervention model that has helped tens of thousands of children and adults diagnosed with an ASD to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Ron Ostrow, a renowned Hollywood actor and the parent of a ten year old son diagnosed with ASD, spoke at the rally. "Parent choice is quickly going out the window," he said. "Arguments will always be raised about what research shows, but parents know what works and what doesn't. They know when it is time to try something new. There is no excuse to withhold services that a child needs because a bureaucrat thinks they know what's best.
Members of the DIRŪ/Floortime Coalitiongather on the Capitol Steps on June 9th to rally
for parental choice of ASD treatment options.
Dr. Josh Feder, a child psychiatrist from San Diego, a D.I.R.®/Floortime practitioner and a member of the ICDL Institute faculty as well as the father of a son with ASD, spoke about the benefits of D.I.R./Floortime. "When you've seen one child with Autism, you've seen one child with Autism. Every child is unique and every child deserves treatment options best suited to their particular needs. D.I.R.®/Floortime is a developmental approach that works with a child's family relationships to build upon them and expand the child's ability to function in the real world, make real choices and live up to their own potential," he said. "D.I.R.®/Floortime has been clinically proven to help thousands of Californians cope with ASD and live better more fulfilling lives."
Jim Lantry, an ASD advocate, added, "California is facing a difficult financial period and we have to make difficult choices. But this choice is easy. Parental choice of ASD treatments will save the State money both today and in the future. Virtually every alternative to Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is cheaper. For some, ABA is the ideal choice, but for those children who would be better served by D.I.R.®/Floortime or another intervention model, providing those options to parents will result in major savings today. And in the future, children who receive treatment tailored to their needs will be better equipped to live an independent life with less or no need for subsidy from the state. It's the proverbial win/win situation for everyone."
The rally was prompted by recent actions by some of the State's 21 autonomous Regional Centers to deny funding for ASD intervention models other than ABA. The actions of these Regional Centers stemmed from a misinterpretation of last year's Budget Trailer Bill language. In the San Gabriel Valley, a group of parents denied D.I.R.®/Floortime funding filed a class action lawsuit against the Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (ELARC). The parents who had seen steady improvement in their children under D.I.R.®/Floortime felt that a change to ABA would jeopardize their children's progress. The judge decided in favor of the parents in the case and the funding for the services was restored.
In addition to rallying for a choice of ASD treatment options, the group also called for the State Legislature to adopt a resolution of support for military families with children with ASD. "These families are already sacrificing for our country," Lantry said. "Military families suffer even greater hardship when their children have Autism because of the transient nature of military life. They need the assistance Congress promised them."
The resolution, which will be introduced shortly, memorializes Congress to fully fund ASD treatment services through TriCare, the health care provider for active duty military personnel and their families.
Following the rally, the group visited with many State Senators and Assembly Members, the Governor's office and Terry Delgadillo, the Director of the California Department of Developmental Services, to bring their message directly to the lawmakers as they wrestle with the State budget.
"We really are talking about cost saving alternatives for the State that will better serve the needs of our children," said Dr. Diane Cullinane, Co-Executive Director of Pasadena Child Development Associates, an agency that serves hundreds of Los Angeles area children with ASD, "and I think the legislators were glad to hear it. Too many people are asking for more and more funds for services. I think it was refreshing for them to hear that at least in this case they can provide children with a better future while saving money at the same time."
The D.I.R.®/Floortime Coalition of California is an ad hoc group of California parents of children diagnosed with ASD and their D.I.R.®/Floortime treatment professionals.
For more information or to schedule an interview with a member of the D.I.R.®/Floortime Coalition of California, please contact Jim Lantry of California Legislative Advocates, 858-792-4750 or jlantry@cal-la.com.
PCDA's "Spring Into Action" Free Family Picnic is Set for April 17
Benefits Children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities
PASADENA, CALIF. - March 21, 2010 - A cherry blossom theme will highlight the Pasadena Child Development Associates (PCDA) Spring Into Action family picnic and fundraising event on Saturday, April 17 from noon to 3 p.m. at Lacy Park in San Marino, Calif. The family-focused event, which is free to the public, is the culmination of PCDA's second annual six-week Spring Into Action fundraising effort designed to raise awareness and funds for the charitable organization's programs for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
"Our six-week pledge campaign that began March 12 will help us make up essential funds lost as a result of California State Regional Center budget cuts, and raise money for programs that are increasingly in demand. We will announce the results of the campaign at the family picnic," said Diane Cullinane, M.D., PCDA Co-Executive Director.
Parents, children, and friends are invited to the free casual outdoor event featuring games and activities, entertainment by PCDA kids and guest and parent speakers. Families will bring their own picnic lunches and PCDA will provide drinks, snacks and dessert.
Lacy Park is located at 1485 Virginia Road, San Marino, Calif. 91108. For more information please contact PCDA at 626-793-7350 or www.PasadenaChildDevelopment.org
PCDA provides interdisciplinary therapy services to infants and children with autism and developmental challenges. The 501c3 not-for-profit agency provides services to hundreds of children in Pasadena and the surrounding area each year. "We believe that every child is a 'whole' child with strengths and challenges," said Diane Cullinane, M.D., Co-Executive Director. "They have many unique capacities, skills and interests. It's our goal to help each child we serve meet his or her full potential and experience the best possible quality of life."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PICTIONARY TOURNAMENT BENEFIT: COMIC BOOK ARTISTS VS. COMEDIANS
Manhattan Beach, California, January 8, 2010
Comic book artists face off against comedians this Wednesday in a Pictionary tournament to benefit children with autism.
The benefit supports the Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc. (PCDA), a nonprofit organization providing development services to children with autism and other developmental disorders. Audience members can win collectible art created during the tournament by comic book artist Eric Basaldua, whose work includes Ultimate Fantastic Four, Dark Avengers and The X-Men. Comics legend Richard Starkings is also joining the team. In addition to his creator-owned project Elephantmen, Starkings is perhaps best known for founding Comicraft, a digital typography studio that revolutionized comic books in the early 90s.
Other professional comic book artists donating their art to the event include Tone Rodriguez (Simpsons, Cowboy Bebop, KISS4K), Chris Moreno (World War Hulk: Frontline, Toy Story, Popgun) and Tony Fleecs (In My Lifetime, Wonderlost).
The tournament takes place at The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2010. Sponsors include the Comics On Comics comics world podcast and the monthly geek standup show Comics And Comics.
"The tournament will be hilarious and fun. The Comics And Comics guys are facing hopeless odds against professional artists, and only their comedy can sustain them," PCDA Board Member Megan Hobza says. "Also, auctioning the art gives our supporters another great reason to give to PCDA. It's incredible what a benefit like this can do for our kids."
Autism strikes one in 70 children (one in 51 boys) and is now considered an epidemic. California State budget cuts, coupled with an increasing need for services, has made fundraising more important than ever.
The tournament is hosted by geek comedian Asterios Kokkinos, and the event flyer, featuring art by Tone Rodriguez, was designed by renowned comedy community graphic designer Olivia Kjellander Hook. This is the first PCDA Pictionary tournament hosted at The Comic Bug, a community comic book store known for events like 24-Hour Comic Book Day, Free Comic Book Day, in-store signings and live performances.
The Comic Bug is located at 1807 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
For more on PCDA: http://pasadenachilddevelopment.org/
Contact: Megan Hobza PCDA Board Member meganhobza@gmail.com
620 N. Lake Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 (562) 714-5589
Music therapy program that helps local autistic children open up
falls victim to state budget cuts
By Caroline An, Staff Writer 08/16/2009
PASADENA - During his recent one-hour music therapy session, 5-year-old Cade Thai strummed a guitar, ran his small fingers over piano keys, and tried to sing along to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
It's remarkable progress in the eyes of Cade's father, Jeff Wiggins, who said when his son first walked through the doors of a the Pasadena Child Development Associates two years ago, he was a shy and speechless child.
"He's able to now repeat certain words, recognize words and is more verbal," said Wiggins, whose son is autistic and also has Williams syndrome, a genetic condition that slows his development.
He attributes that progress to the organization's music therapy program, which uses music as an educational tool. Parents and children work in private sessions with on-site music therapists like Melissa St. John, who has worked with Cade since May 2008.
Since then, she's noticed he now "imitates the rhythm, smiles more and is more engaged."
"There is so much more interaction," St. John said.
But now the program is in jeopardy, a victim of state budget cuts, said Diane Anand, executive director of the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center, which refers families to the Pasadena program.
