May 20, 2015
TIMMINS, NEW LISKEARD, KAPUSKSAING - May 20th 2015, NEOFACS celebrated the end of their annual Autism Awareness Campaign with a special presentation of therapeutic iPads donated by Timmins Financial and Core Business Solutions to three fortunate children and youth.
April 2nd marked World Autism Awareness Day and to celebrate, North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) once again joined in Autism Ontario’s “Raise the Flag” campaign. NEOFACS raised flags in 9 communities across northeastern Ontario to promote awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The raising of flags kicked off a month long campaign full of awareness promotion, educational activities and special events for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families. For the first time, NEOFACS was able to offer an “Expression Challenge” to children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders across the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming, due to the support of Timmins Financial and Core Business Solutions.
“Supporting Autism Awareness is a cause that is very important to us because we are a family who knows firsthand what it’s like to have a member of the family living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Organizations like NEOFACS have been and continue to be instrumental in supporting us and we hope raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders will allow them to continue to offer and possibly expand their already amazing services,” said David Gervais, Financial Security Advisor with Timmins Financial Inc.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. Autism disorders are characterized in varying degrees by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. In 2013 all previously sub-categorized autism disorders (autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome) were merged into one diagnosis of ASD.
Timmins Financial and Core Business Solutions made a generous donation of three iPads and cases. Each of these iPads was awarded to a child who was deserving of his recognition for their entry in the “Expression Challenge.” Close to 80 submissions to the “Expression Challenge” were received by NEOFACS. Of the entries, Jacob Gervais, Joshua Murray and Zachary Puiras were recognized for their efforts.
These children will now have the opportunity to improve their communication, motor and cognitive skills using these user-friendly touch screen tablets. The iPads are portable and can easily travel with the children offering them ways to calm, focus and learn on-the-go! Further, the iPads are flexible and offer customizable options, so the system and applications can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the child.
“Core Business Solutions is a leading technology company in Northeastern Ontario. We are proud to be able to donate technology devices to assist individuals in these communities. Knowing these devices can make a difference in someone’s life gives us great satisfaction to help these individuals and their families,” said Ted Gooch of Core Business Solutions.
In addition to the iPads, three gift cards were awarded to children who did not self identify as having an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
NEOFACS offers a number of children’s mental health programs for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Services include the Applied Behaviour Analysis Program (ABA), the Autism Intervention Program (AIP/IBI), and the Autism Resource Program (ARP). Two of the autism programs are offered in partnership with other agencies. The Applied Behaviour Analysis Program is offered in cooperation with One Kids Place and the Autism Intervention Program is offered in partnership with HANDS (The Family Help Network from North Bay). More information on these partnerships can be found by visiting http://www.onekidsplace.ca and http://www.thefamilyhelpnetwork.ca.
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NEOFACS Media Contact:
Brooke Ballantyne
Communications Coordinator
Telephone: 705-360-7100 ext 5217
Brooke.ballantyne@neofacs.org
For additional information about Children’s Mental Health, please contact:
Josée Bélanger, MSW, RSW
Director of Services: Children's Mental Health, Youth Justice & Community Based Programs
Directrice des services : santé mentale des enfants, justice pour la jeunesse et programmes communautaires
Telephone : 705-360-2104
josee.belanger@neofacs.org
CORE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Media Contact:
Ted Gooch
Core Business Solutions
264 Third Avenue Suite #100
Timmins, Ontario P4N 1E3
Telephone: 705-262-4468
t.gooch@corebusinesssolutions.ca
TIMMINS FINANCIAL Media Contact
David Gervais, CHS
Timmins Financial Inc.
209 Third Ave.
Timmins, ON, P4N 1C9
Telephone: 705-269-0101
david.gervais@timminsfinancial.com