SCAS 40th Anniversary!

SCAS Celebrates 40 Years of Service!

In March 2012, the South Carolina Autism Society will celebrate 40 years of service to families affected by autism. In the early 1970's a group of dedicated parents of children with autism came together for fellowship. They realized how little was known about autism and recognized that children with autism have their own special needs. Services were nonexistent or inappropriate. The parents stood together as a unified voice and worked diligently to improve life for individuals with autism and their families in our state.

Their grass roots efforts would come to be known as the South Carolina Autism Society. The organization was chartered by the State of South Carolina in 1972.

Our organization has grown immensely over these years; from a handful of families the first years to nearly 2,000 families today. To serve these families better we have expanded by opening additional, staffed satellite offices in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Greenville. Today we are able to provide a variety of services, including:

• Information and Referral: Providing information to parents and professionals about autism and available services.
• Advocacy: SCAS provides advocacy on all levels from the individual level on up to the system change level.
• Autism and Informed Response: Training for emergency responders (law enforcement, EMS, fire fighters, etc) on autism, using parent volunteers.
• Parent-School Partnership: PSP seeks to assist children with autism in receiving the best education possible by helping to build relationships between the school and the parents.
• Service Coordination: Is an expansion of the society’s existing programs of information and referral and advocacy. SCAS will provide service coordination to individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

SCAS has been extremely fortunate to have your support over the years to help us reach out to families and to expand our services in South Carolina without a waiting list or limiting the amount of support we can offer.

In recognition of our 40th Anniversary, we invite you to continue your support of our mission. Please consider becoming an Anniversary Sponsor with your donation of $40. As always, donations in any amount are welcome. Even $10 will help provide an information packet to a family newly affected by autism.

Thank you in advance for your support. Please remember, almost 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to programs and your donation is tax deductable.

You can donate by mailing a check to:

SC Autism Society

806 12th Street

West Columbia, SC 29169

or online by clicking here.