Four years ago this would have been impossible.
Most of you know I have son, Patrick, who was diagnosed with autism in 1997 when the stats were 1 in 10,000 children had autism. There was very little available on the internet (this was a time during AOL dial-up with a 2400 and then 9600 baud rate) and what was on the internet? I had read everything. I know you think that is impossible in this age of modern-day internet but it was a fact.
We landed at Including Kids’ new SOAR program in August of 2010 (he was 14 then) when we just could not take the regression that we were seeing in communication. His pediatrician wrote a letter saying that he was a danger to himself and others. He went from having 90 signs in sign language to 5 signs. By January, they had him on an IPad with a new program called Proloquo2go and it suddenly opened up a new world for him.
During all this time, they have made do with space in a shopping center. Every year they have expanded programs to both the internal Including Kids community and outward to the community at large. Being a parent of a child in this school, I can tell you without a doubt they are good stewards of your dollars. If you contribute at least $68, you will get your name on one of the puzzle pieces that will be on the wall of the new school.
They are so close to being at their goal so they can break ground. This is what the new school will look like:
Please consider helping them. Below is a copy of a letter from Jennifer Dantzler, the executive director of Including Kids. You can click here on this link to go to their page to donate.
(From Jennifer Dantzler):
This year on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, Including Kids is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving.
Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, as it harnesses the power of social media and the generosity of people to bring about real change in communities.
We at Including Kids are committed to helping children and young adults with autism be included in their communities and lead meaningful and productive lives. Currently 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism each year, and the need for autism support has never been greater, #1in68CantWait. This year for #GivingTuesday our goal is to kick off the Essential Piece campaign for the groundbreaking of our new campus. Every person is an Essential Piece in building an inclusive community and all donors who give $68 or more will receive recognition on our new campus.
We need your help! Let people know that you support us! Some ideas include:
1. Give a one-time donation on December 1st at www.includingkids.org
2. Help spread the word about #GivingTuesday. Forward this email along to all friends, family and co-workers challenging them to share this with everyone they know and to also partner with Including Kids on #GivingTuesday #1in68CantWait at http://www.includingkids.org.
3. Take an #UNselfie and post to social media. An #UNselfie is a picture of you holding a sign saying that you’re donating to Including Kids and why.
4. Share a personal story of your partnership with Including Kids on social media or in an email to your friends and family. You can tag us on any/all of the following:
twitter: @InKidsInc
instagram: includingkidsautismcenter
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InKids/
There are many ways to get involved in #GivingTuesday #1in68CantWait. We encourage you to join the movement and visit http://www.includingkids.org to learn more about how you can help build an inclusive community.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Dantzler
Pbmom's Blog 
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