Autism Delaware Opens Southern Delaware Office

Milton location helps enhance support for Kent and Sussex Counties
NEWARK, DEL., February 8, 2011 Autism Delaware opened an office at the Paynters Mill Plaza in Milton in January. The goal of this new location is to provide enhanced support for individuals and families affected by autism in Kent and Sussex Counties. The facility, located at 16394 Samuel Paynter Blvd., puts Autism Delawares staff members from Kent and Sussex Counties into one combined space. This consolidation creates a single location where community members can come for planned meetings, recreational opportunities and parent support. It will also house Autism Delawares adult service program, Productive Opportunities for Work & Recreation, when it opens in 2012. Autism Delaware is passionate about supporting families affected by autism in southern Delaware, said Theda Ellis, Executive Director. Our southern staff members, Dafne Carnright and Melissa Tice Martin, have a great deal of experience working with families throughout Kent and Sussex. This office will allow them, and all of Autism Delaware, to continue our work in the community efficiently and with great impact. The 2010 merger of the Lower Delaware Autism Foundation and Autism Delaware (under the name Autism Delaware) brought together two powerful organizations to provide more resources for those affected by autism in all three Delaware counties. Recently, the office was the site for a video conference that allowed southern families to provide their input at a meeting being held in New Castle County without the difficulty of the drive north. In January, there was an important meeting concerning the future of residential education at the Delaware Autism Program, and it was held in New Castle County, said Dafne Carnright, Southern Delaware Services Coordinator. In the Milton office, we were hooked up to a live video feed of the meeting so that families could participate without having to drive upstate. This new office allows families in Kent and Sussex counties to participate in important events right here, near their hometowns. Autism Delaware kicked off the Southern Delaware Services Initiative (SDSI) in December, which raises funds specifically to service

Kent and Sussex counties. The new office complements the goals of SDSI, helping to establish a stronger presence downstate. For more information about new Milton office, please visit Autism Delaware's website at www.delautism.org or contact Associate Director Teresa Avery at 302-224-6020. ### About Autism Delaware Autism Delaware is a non-profit advocacy organization made up of family members, professionals, and friends of people with autism. The organizations mission is to create better lives for people and families affected by autism throughout Delaware. Autism is a complex, developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Autism Delaware serves the entire state of Delaware with its offices in Newark and Milton. For additional information about Autism Delaware, visit www.delautism.org. MEDIA CONTACT: Teresa J Avery Associate Director Autism Delaware (302) 224-6020 xt 203 Teresa.Avery@delautism.org