Autism Center's Festival Aimed at Educating Public

With more children than ever diagnosed with autism—and more parents trying to understand the best education and treatment options—there is a growing number of options for families.

Helping to sort through the myriad of help is the Comprehensive Autism Medical Assessment Treatment Center of New Jersey on King George Road, a facility offering nearly any kind of treatment or guidance families with autistic members might need.

The center also houses the Autism Think Tank, which provides top medical assistance for autistic children whose treatments and development may be hindered by underlying medical issues. Using Internet conferencing, a group of medical experts from across the country confer monthly on treatment options for children through the center. The participating doctors include  a pharmacist, a psychologist, an internist, and other appropriate doctors who are also experts in autistic research and treatment.  

But the center is new, and its list of services long, so to help introduce itself, the center will host a Family Fall Festival Oct. 16, where anyone can stop in to learn more about the center's services, as well as other options.

The Festival is part of the marketing plans launched by Deana Luchs, a Parent Advocacy Coordinator—she helps families understand and obtain services available from government agencies, medical centers and schools—and the center's speech pathologist.

"We're just trying it out to see how it well it works," Luchs said. 

The festival is aimed at expanding awareness of the non-profit center, and will include a variety of games and activities for kids, as well as workshops for parents.

Volunteers from area schools and service groups, including Immaculata High School, Mt. Horeb School and the Watchung Hills Elks Lodge, will help staff tables and activties.

But more help is welcome and invited—more volunteers and participating sponsors are needed. Merchants and sponsors can participate by renting a table ($75), or offer give-a-away and raffle items. For more information, contact the center at 732-667-7778.