About Us
The National Autism Association (NAA) is pleased to announce its newest chapter to serve Northeast Ohio in Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Portage Counties. The mission of the National Autism Association- Northeast Ohio is to help families who have had a child or children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to access necessary treatment interventions. The organization plans to accomplish this mission by offering grants to qualified families to defray costs of treatments such as early intercention, behavioral therapy, music therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and others. In additiona, NAA- Northeast Ohio plans to assist families in locating resources needed to help their child or children.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder which affects as many as 1 in every 150 children born in the United States. This disorder affects boys more often than girls and it causes sifnificant problems with social skills, behavior, and communication. Autism can affect any child, in any family, and it knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Parents of children with autism can experience significant stressors due to the physical, psychological and financial demands of raising a child with autism. In the Cleveland area, parents are challenged to fund necessary interventions which can cost as much as $70,000 per year for one child. Insurance companies often do not pay for these interventions and some children are unable to access needed services due to a lack of financial resources.
The NAA-Northeast Ohio is a non-profit corporation currently in the process of fundraising in order to provide grants to families affected by autism. The organization will inform the public when grant applications are made available. The NAA-Northeast Ohio does not endorse individual programs, therapies, treatments, schools or facilities, or the theories or practices of any one individual or entity. Families may receive funds to be used for interventions based on the needs of the child. Inquiries and tax-deductible donations may be sent to the National Autism Association- Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO) at PO Box 221195, Beachwood, Ohio 44122. To join the National Autism Association, log onto www.nationalautismassociation.org and specify the Northeast Ohio Chapter.