Autism Awareness Month Update

Thanks to everyone who supported The Birchtree Center's Autism Awareness Month programs this April. The series increased autism awareness, promoted discussion about the impact of autism on our families and communities, and offered practical suggestions for families living with autism. For a complete list of programs, click here.

The series received some excellent media coverage. The Portsmouth Herald published a feature article and "Thumbs up" opinion piece about The Birchtree Center, our dedicated staff, and our Autism Awareness Month programs. Information about the series also appeared in the Portsmouth Atlantic News, Foster’s Daily Democrat, and The Wire, and during an hour-long radio interview program broadcast April 14 on WSCA-LP 106.1 FM.

The Birchtree Center's Executive Director, Dr. Christine Guarino, wrote an essay in honor of Autism Awareness Month offering suggestions for "Five Things YOU Can Do to Support Individuals with Autism in Your Community." The piece appeared as a letter to the editor in Foster's Sunday Citizen and as a guest column on SeacoastParentsConnect.com.

The educational programs in this series were made possible thanks to generous grant funding from the Greater Portsmouth Rehabilitation Center Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation - Piscataqua Region. Thank you, NHCF, for your support!

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has been working to improve the quality of life in our communities since 1962. It builds and manages a collection of funds, currently totaling $344 million, created by individuals, families and corporations for charitable purposes. In 2005, the Foundation awarded $25 million in grants to nonprofits and scholarship funds to students. Based in Concord, the Foundation serves communities through seven regions - Lakes, Manchester, Monadnock, Nashua, North Country, Piscataqua and Upper Valley. For more information, visit www.nhcf.org or call (603) 225-6641.