| The Center for Families of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (CFIDD) is a non-profit organization that serves families and individuals with developmental disabilities in American Samoa. CFIDD is the only Community Parent Resource Center in American Samoa that provides information, referral, advocacy and support to families with individuals with disabilities. |
| Copyright 2003-2012 © CFIDD- CPRC Email: info@cfidd.org |
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| Center for Families of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities |
| "Families Helping Families" |
| April is Autism Awareness Month to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1 in 88 American children are on the autism spectrum–a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies also show that autism is three to four times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States. By way of comparison, this is more children than are affected by diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or Down syndrome, combined. Autism Spectrum Disorder affects over 2 million individuals in the U. S. and tens of millions worldwide. Moreover, government autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years. There is no established explanation for this continuing increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered. |
The puzzle pattern reflects the mystery and complexity of the autism spectrum. The different
colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition.
The brightness of the ribbon signals hope—hope that through increased awareness of autism,
and through early intervention and appropriate treatments, people with autism will lead fuller,
more complete lives.
colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition.
The brightness of the ribbon signals hope—hope that through increased awareness of autism,
and through early intervention and appropriate treatments, people with autism will lead fuller,
more complete lives.
| PARENT CENTER/ IDEA TRAINING CFIDD is proud to launch a series of training sessions for all 42 day care providers in American Samoa, in partnership with the American Samoa Child Care Division, Department of Human and Social Services. These sessions covers important issues such as the role of Parent Centers; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; understanding the 10 basic steps in special education; how a child is identified as having a disability and needing early intervention or special education services and how they play an integral role in referring children for evaluation to determine if he/she has a disability and eligible for early intervention and/or special education services. |
Announcements
| SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE We are pleased to announce the commencement of our Special Transportation Service (STS) for individuals with disabilities who cannot access public transportation and without a family vehicle. This paratransit service is provided using a van, which is specially equipped with a wheelchair lift. Service hours are from 7:30 am to 4 pm with first pickup at 8 am and last pick-up at 3 pm Monday to Friday. After-hour service is available at a cost. To qualify for STS or for more information, please call Aukusitino Senetenari at 699-6621 or visit the CFIDD Office on Tasi Street at Lion's Park. This service is made possible through a small grant from the American Samoa Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and a specially equipped van from the American Samoa Department of Public Works. |
| BEHAVIOR CERTIFICATE TRAINING PROGRAM In celebration of Autism Awareness Month, CFIDD is pleased to host the University of Hawaii's (UH) Behavior Certificate Training Program with focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders. This seven day certificate training program is conducted by an Autism Specialist, Kandis Lighthall, who earned her M.A. in Education with an emphasis in Special Education and who recently retired from public education after a distinguished career. She is here as a UH contractor to provide training to local teachers who are completing UH Behavior Certificates. These trainings are held in the American Samoa Community Parent Resource Center training room at CFIDD's Lion's Park office. We are grateful to the University of Hawaii and Kandis Lighthall for increasing teacher capacity in understanding and working with children who are on the autism spectrum. |