The Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) and Navigating the Spectrum will be co-sponsoring their Second Annual Autism Information Fair on Sunday,  Apr. 6 at the Westchester County Center.  The event is presented in recognition of National Autism Awareness Month throughout the month of April. The day-long event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fair is free to all parents, therapists, educators, and health care professionals. Professionals will be available at information booths to assist the public in better understanding current treatment modalities used to support families who have a member with an autism spectrum disorder. There will be a supervised children’s play area as well.

In addition, there will be three breakout lecture series starting at 11:30 a.m. to provide age-appropriate information to assist families in understanding the various developmental levels a child goes through.  The prorams will offer significant social and educational interventions.

The DCMH is also sponsoring a free educational seminar on Apr. 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Westchester County Center.  This seminar features Dr. John Pomeroy,  a nationally known psychiatrist and founder of the Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. DCMH is responsible for identifying needs and planning for individuals with developmental disabilities to ensure that there are appropriate and adequate services by advocating with funding sources.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, and Westchester County is experiencing the same trend.  Nationally 1 in 150 children born in the United States has autism and approximately 67 children are diagnosed with some form of autism daily. It is estimated that between 2,000 and 6,000 children and adults in Westchester County have the diagnosis. In Westchester County public schools there are more than  800 children with a diagnosis of autism. In response to these staticis, County Executive Andy Spano has announced the formation of a council to advise him on what new services are needed and to identify funding sources to help Westchester families.
 
For more information call the Department of Community Mental Health at (914) 995-5220