Pennsylvanians in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Laurel Highlands, Lehigh Valley, Blair County, and the Poconos embody the mission of Autism Speaks in their local communities.  We invite you to learn more about local community resources, to participate in statewide advocacy efforts, and to get involved through upcoming events.  

Advocacy:

Autism Speaks applauds Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis O'Brien and State lawmakers for passing the strongest autism insurance mandate in the nation.  To learn more about our advocacy initiatives, please visit www.autismvotes.org.

Family Services:

We have awarded $119,560 in community grants to support autism-related programs and services in Pennsylvania.  Grants include:

Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education, Philadelphia, PA - "Special Serve," a tennis and life skills program.

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA - "Improving Quality of Life through Person-Centered Planning," a university-based transition program for young adults with ASD.

School District of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA - "Make-and-Take Workshop."

Quest Therapeutics Services, Inc., West Chester, PA - "Let's Vault, Max!", equestrian vaulting as social and physical training for children on the autism spectrum.

Acting Antics, Morgantown, PA - Developing social cognition through theater.

Via of the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem, PA - Customized employment for young adults and adults with autism.

Science:

We have funded $3,713,011.09 in research grants throughout Pennsylvania.  The recipients are listed below.  For detailed information about each study, please visit www.autismspeaks.org/science/research/grants/index.php.

Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh

Drexel University, Philadelphia

Lehigh University, Bethlehem

Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia

Penn State University, University Park

Temple University, Philadelphia

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

The Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia

The Open University, Morgantown

Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia

The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

The University of Pittsburgh

In other exciting news, Children's Hopspital of Philadelphia and the University of Pittsburgh/Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have Autism Treatment Network sites.  To learn more about the Autism Treatment Network, please visit www.autismspeaks.org/science/programs/atn/index.php.

Events:

Lehigh Valley - Join us on April 2, 2012 for the Blue Tie ~ Blue Jean Ball featuring food donated by Bonefish Grill and musical performances by Lynnie Godfrey, Craig Thatcher and Nyke Van Wyk!  Individual tickets are $75.  Purchase tickets at: events.autismspeaks.org/lehighvalleyball.  Please call 646-843-6675 for sponsorship information.

Lehigh Valley - The 2012 Lehigh Valley Walk registration is now open!  Join us at Lehigh Parkway in Allentown, PA on Saturday, April 21, 2012.  To register, please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/lehighvalley

Laurel Highlands - The 2012 Laurel Highlands Walk registration is now open!  Join us at Idlewild Park in Story Book Forrest in Ligonier, PA on Sunday, May 20, 2012.  To register, please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/laurelhighlands

Greater Pittsburgh - The 2012 Greater Pittsburgh Walk registration is now open!  Join us at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA on Saturday, June 9, 2012.  To register, please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/pittsburgh

Blair County - The 2012 Blair County Walk registration is now open!  Join us at Blair County Ballpark in Altoona, PA on Saturday, June 16, 2012.  To register, please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/blaircounty