Families with ASD - Sponsorship Opportunities

Dear Families,
Families with ASD is kicking off the 2009 Fund-raising Campaign to raise funds for the Autism Family Resource Center, the Annual Autism Expo, and the many other services we offer families in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area. We would really appreciate any help that you and your families can have with our fund-raising Campaign. Families with ASD understands that times are tough. We also know that our families need help from our organization and services NOW more than ever before. Please know that any donation you make is not too small and will help us continue to do what we do best: Helping Families with ASD.

With warmest regards,
Julia Ann Smith
Families with ASD
President/Founder


Who is Families with ASD?
Families with Autism Spectrum Disorders was founded by Julia and Gregory L. Smith on March 4, 2005. Their son, Luke, was having sudden medical and behavioral issues on top of his autism. At the time, the doctors were unaware of what was going on with Luke, so the Smith’s reached out to other families who lived with autism 24/7. Their first autism support group meeting had only 7 families attend, and that was including their own. There were other autism support groups in Cincinnati, however, Families with ASD was the first group that was free and family centered. They encouraged the whole family to attend! They wanted a group to serve the whole family.
What started out as a desperate search for answers and support for their son, has transformed into a huge network of families that has surpassed their wildest dream with 500 + families that are now members; families from all over the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Area. They are the creators of the Autism Expo, the Autism Yellow Pages ©, and a Yahoo on-line autism support group with over 460 members. In 2008, they opened the first Autism Family Resource Center in this area helping reach more families. New in 2009, Families with ASD has just started an On-line Yahoo Marriage with Autism support group.

What is Autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees, affecting the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. There is no known single cause for autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.

Autism Statistics You Should Know
Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 150 births (CDC, 2007). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise. Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries; family income levels; lifestyle choices; or educational levels, and can affect any family and any child. And although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.

80 % of marriages end in divorce
within 5 years of diagnosis

The Rate of Autism in 1998: 1 in 10,000
The Rate of Autism today: 1 in 150
Find Out More About Autism
• Autism Society of America
• Autism Society of the Bluegrass
• Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati
• Cincinnati Center for Autism
• ComeBackJack.org
• Familieswithasd.org
• KidPowerTherapySolutions.org

Families with ASD’s
2009 Fundraising
Pledge Drive

Help Families with ASD continue to support families living with Autism here
in the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky area.

Families with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a Cincinnati based non-profit, 501 (c ),(3), public charity. Only four years old, Families with ASD has already helped the Autism Community by offering families the following services:

• FREE Monthly Autism Support Group Meetings for the Whole Family
• FREE Autism Friendly Group outings: (Kings Island, Skating parties for all)
• FREE Autism Friendly Halloween Party (Every child/adult with autism &
siblings receive free pumpkin and treat bags).
• FREE Autism Friendly Christmas Party with a Sensitive Santa (Every
child/adult with autism & siblings receive a Christmas present from a
Sensitive Santa & families receive a free dinner).
• FREE Annual Families with ASD’s Autism Expo’s filled with FREE information
and FREE Guest Speakers.
• FREE Families with ASD’s Autism Yellow Pages © given out to families,
schools, organizations.
• FREE training for parents on IEP issues.
• FREE-Online Autism Support groups for families living with autism.
• FREE membership to the Families with ASD’s Autism Family Resource Center
located in Milford, OH.
• Autism Friendly Movies at the Midway Theater in Bethel, OH.
• Autism Friendly Group Trips to the Kindervelt North Pole Express Train

Families with ASD needs your help to continue serving the 500 plus families in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. All funds donated will stay in Cincinnati and fund the before-mentioned services. In addition, Families with ASD would like to offer new and exciting services to our families; such as: respite, marriage support, more autism guest speakers, and new autism trainings for families. In order to do this, we need your help.

Families with ASD would like to thank all the 2008 Families with ASD Sponsors.

Without their support many of these activities would not have been possible.

• Impact Autism
• Kid Power Therapy Solutions
• Cincinnati Center for Autism
• The Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati
• First Watch
• Moonstone Salon
• Team Luke Flying Pig Relay Runners
• Smitty’s Barber Shop
• Terri and Paul Hogan
• Pierce Point Cinema 10
• Lutz, Cornetet, Meyer & Rush Co., L.P.A. Attorneys at Law
• oSo Screenprinting and Sign Company
• Springdot Printing
• Trying 4 Bryan: Jenni Miller Family
• Quality Exteriors and Remodeling LLc: Ray Autenrieb
• Colleen McSwiggin Family
• Anne and Rick Stratman Family
• Judy & Andy Lloyd Family


The Families with ASD’s Fundraising Drive Goal for 2009 is $70,000.

How Can You Help Families with ASD?

Families with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Inc: is recognized as a 501 (c ) (3) non-profit, public charity of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Families with ASD are deductible under section 170 of the Code. Families with ASD is also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code. Tax ID number: 20-475-8474.
Families with ASD is a grass-roots organization that has no paid staff or annual funding. The Families with ASD Board must work diligently all year to raise funds so that we can continue to offer FREE services to our families.

All board members are on volunteer status, and most board members are parents with a child/adult with autism. We have one board member with autism. All funds donated stays HERE in Cincinnati to better serve the families in the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area living with Autism 24/7.

Families with ASD understands that times are tough. We also know that our families need help from our organization, now more than ever before.

Please know that any donation you make is not too small and will help us continue to do what we do best; Helping Families with ASD!