One young girl with autism kept hitting herself in the head hundreds of times per hour. Her mother, terrified over what might happen, was unable to leave her side. But after beginning the autism intervention and therapy program at Easter Seals Midwest, a profound change took place. Within a week, she was able to get her hair cut for the first time. “We changed the trajectory for that kid,” says Jeanne Marshall, vice president of children’s services. “You can’t put into words what it did for that family’s quality of life.”
A whopping one in 68 children in the U.S. have autism, a neurological disorder that impacts communication and social and sensory-processing development. Easter Seals Midwest, which assists individuals with a wide range of developmental disabilities, provides comprehensive therapy and services to more than 2,000 individuals with autism across Missouri annually. “Our goal is to help people with autism live a full, progressive life in the community and be as independent as possible,” says CEO Wendy Sullivan. Although Easter Seals Midwest works with all ages, it strives to reach children with autism before they turn 3. “Early intervention can change the outcome of a child’s life,” Sullivan says, adding that two-thirds of kids who receiv
A free, two-week parent training program helps parents learn how best to interact and communicate with their child with autism. “Typical parenting strategies are not always effective,” Marshall says. “When we give parents effective tools, families can better cope, and the child feels better because he or she is learning strategies to communicate and interact.”
To provide these programs, Easter Seals Midwest relies on community support. One major annual fundraiser is its Festival of Trees Gala Dec. 2 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis-Chesterfield. “The programs we have in St. Louis would not exist if not for this event,” Marshall says. “It costs a lot to do it right, but it’s worth it. You can’t put a dollar amount on helping these children.”
The event is chaired by Judy Kent, Easter Seals board member, who was recently named the organization’s national Philanthropist of the Year at the 2015 Leadership Summit dinner in Chicago. “Judy feels she has a responsibility to make our community a better place, and we’re so blessed she’s chosen Easter Seals Midwest as her avenue for giving back,” Sullivan says.
For families including a child with autism, Easter Seals Midwest’s programs can make a world of difference. “We frequently get letters and cards that say, ‘You gave me my child back, and you gave me hope for the first time,’” Marshall says.
Pictured: Judy Kent, Easter Seals Philanthropist of the Year 2015, with president Randy Rutta
Photo Courtesy of Easter Seals Midwest
[Sean and Kyle Erwin both have benefited from Easter Seals Midwest’s autism services. The nonprofit’s annual fundraiser, Festival of Trees, takes place Dec. 2 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis-Chesterfield. Tickets are $250 per person or $2,500 for a table of 10. For more information, call 314.394.7100 or visit eastersealsmidwest.org.]