L I F E L O N G L E A R N I N GTM

Fall 2009

· Executive Director’s Message 2

· Fundraising Highlights 3

· Family Corner 3

· Notes and Notables 6-7

aca’s gala makes a fashion sTaTemenT

WHAT’S INSIDE

The Grandview was the place to be on Saturday, October 3rd as Anderson Center for

Autism (ACA) celebrated our 8th Annual Gala entitled Compassion is Always in

Fashion – Celebrating LifeLong LearningSM. Festively-attired family members,

members of our boards of trustees, community representatives and officials, friends

and staff were all among the more than 250 who excitedly filled the Grand Ballroom.

With special thanks to this year’s Gold Sponsor, Kirchhoff-Consigli Construction

Management, LLP, ACA’s signature fundraising Gala included a social cocktail hour,

silent and live auctions, a delectable dinner, dancing to the music of the Michael Dell

Orchestra and much more. Also included in the evening’s program was a special

presentation to this year’s honoree, M&T Bank, for their continued support of ACA

and the community.

What has through the years become known as the evening’s highlight - the performance

- was nothing less than spectacular this year. Our Adult Services Program fully

embraced the Compassion is Always in Fashion theme and beautifully delivered ACA’s

very first Gala fashion show. The red carpet rolled out and more than 20 chic models

strutted their stuff down an elevated runway.

Showcasing a variety of designs from chartreuse elegance to the latest trends in tuxedos, this impressive group of individuals was

simply unbelievable -- diverse, beautiful, and passionate as the crowd cheered them on. The models representative of the adults in

our program were each accompanied by their mother, father, brother, sister or a member of their staff wearing fashions generously

donated for the evening by Mary H. Abdoo and You Designs. The guests were wowed by the allure and luster these models presented

to all those fortunate enough to be there and celebrate together.

Simone M accompanied by her mother and brother

shows off one of the evening’s red carpet fashions.

Fashion, by definition, changes constantly. Here at ACA change is vital to

the success of our programs. Cutting edge developments allow us to provide

the most effective services to the individuals in our care. Our families too

are vital to our programs’ success and we wish to thank all of you who

participated in this year’s event. Our gratitude goes to everyone who worked

tirelessly to make the 2009 Gala such a memorable one - especially our

models! Great job everyone.

L ifeLong LearnerSM

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a u t i s m t o d a y

Two spectacular events marked a beautiful fall season for ACA.

First, our 8th annual Gala, was a huge success. Each year, the

Gala marks one of the most extraordinary events on ACA’s

calendar. Looking around the ballroom I saw so many families

and was struck by the appropriateness of this year’s theme -

Compassion is Always in Fashion - it was especially fitting.

Without the generous support and compassion of our sponsors,

many of these families would not have been able to share in

such a special evening.

An Adult Services fashion show highlighted the night. Family

and staff proudly accompanied our models as they walked the

runway and, without exception, rose to the occasion. For all, it

was an emotional moment and one that parents, in particular,will

treasure as they were able to see their children in a uniquely

adult way.

Thoughts from the

desk of Neil J. Pollack,

Executive Director/C.E.O.

The feeling in the room was beautifully summed up in an email

from a proud parent: “I just wanted to let you know what a

wonderful time I had at the Gala. When I saw my son in his tux, I

had an unexpected reaction--I had a lump in my throat, and tears

welled up in my eyes, something that hasn’t happened in a long

time. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to see him and walk down

the “runway” with him. Thanks again for your backing and loyalty

to families.”

Second, I was honored to represent ACA in receiving the 2009

Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal during a splendid ceremony in

October at ERVK in Hyde Park (see related article on page 4). It is

a tremendous compliment to our organization that with this award,

ACA is recognized as representing the singular humanitarian spirit

of the unmatched Mrs. Roosevelt.

Through my acceptance speech I was able to further spread the

important message of overall autism awareness and ACA’s dedicated

mission to improve the lives of the individuals with autism spectrum

services, most of whom present unique challenges. Events such as

these brilliantly showcase the hard work, dedication and

achievements that our organization experiences every day. As

always, I send my deep thanks to our sponsors, families, staff and

all who go the extra mile in making them such a success.

b o a r d s o f t r u s t e e s

Anderson Center for Autism operates under the guidance of our exceptional Boards of Trustees. We appreciate the contributions that each of these talented and generous individuals makes towards the achievement of our goals.

David W. Melby, Chair

Francis M. Synan 1st Vice Chair

Sarah E. Sholes, 2nd Vice Chair

Peter M. Olympia, Jr., Treasurer

Neeraj Alimchandani, Secretary

anderson cenTer for auTism*

Elinor B. E. Arnold, Trustee

Justin L. Cole, Trustee

Elizabeth Corcoran, Trustee

John S. DeJoy, Trustee

Pompey H. Delafield, Trustee

Eric Gorman, Trustee

Joe Lepore, Trustee

Richard Lewis, Trustee

Lynne M. Liptay, MD, Trustee

Jeanne R. Raichle, Trustee

John A. Scileppi, Trustee

*Trustees for Anderson Center for Autism are also trustees for Anderson Center Services, Inc.

anderson foundaTion for auTism, inc.Margaret Cusumano, Chair

John Maserjian, Vice Chair

Robert Shoemaker, Treasurer

Rebecca A. Valk, Secretary

Ellen L. Baker, Trustee

Louis Fratto, Jr., Trustee

Vance A. Gage, Trustee

Allen Gerber, M.D., Trustee

Joseph F. Heavey, Trustee

Tondra Lynford, Trustee

Harold Mangold, Trustee

William F. Melcher, Trustee

Deborah O’Keeffe, Trustee

Marisa Perez-Rogers, Trustee

Paul Porco, Trustee

William R. Salmeri, Trustee

Fritz Sonnenschmidt, Trustee

lifeTime honorary TrusTeesMichael McNaughton Wilfred Rohde Jaime Rodriguez-TellezEllen Baker

showcasing our accomplishmenTs

fundraising highlighTs

This year’s Gala was a great success. Thanks to the

generous support of all who participated, net proceeds

exceeded $80,000. Our 2010 Gala is planned for October

2nd, so save the date and stay tuned for details.

We continue to encourage Board members and families to

host introductory receptions as fund/friend-raisers. Our

ability to share our message and cultivate new relationships

depends on friends like you.

Our Annual Appeal will soon be in the mail. Please consider

ACA in your annual giving plans. At this critical time of

year, we need help from all our friends to support the needs

of the children and adults we serve.

It’s the holiday season and we appreciate your support to

help with gift purchases to make the season bright. Please

contact us if you are interested in supporting a holiday gift

drive.

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Taking a walk wiTh michael

For Joan Blutreich, October 3rd 2009 was an evening she’ll never forget -

an evening more than 30 years in the making. So, as she stepped toward

her son Michael to greet him after his walk down the runway at ACA’s

Gala Fashion Show, she could hardly contain her emotion. “We hadn’t

told Michael that I would be there because we wanted him to be able to

concentrate on the job at hand,” Joan recounts. “After he hit the runway

like a champ, he saw me and his face lit up and he cheerfully said

‘Mommy.’”

Just over 30 years ago, Joan made the “hardest decision of her life” and moved her eight year old son with autism to

what was then Anderson School. “I knew Michael could benefit greatly from immersion in a program devoted to his

specific needs,” she says. “Of course, I’ve remained very active in my son’s life and am thrilled to report that his

progression over the years at ACA has been amazing. The ACA staff is made up of such special people with a unique

sense of dedication to the individuals they serve. And, their expertise, dedication and hard work is rewarded every day

in the difference they make in the lives of ACA’s students and adults.”

As an adult, Michael now lives in an ACA IRA. “Anderson Center is truly his home,” Joan notes. “He’s a creature of

habit who enjoys putting things in order, loves Jeopardy, solving puzzles and going out for sweet treats with me

whenever I go for a visit.” So, on the night of the Gala when Michael saw his mom, it was no surprise to Joan that he

immediately wanted cake. “I told him that dessert was soon to come,” Joan smiles. “And after his stellar performance

on the runway, it certainly was a well deserved treat!”

“The Gala evening was absolutely wonderful for both Michael and me,” says Joan. “Many thanks go to all and especially

to ACA’ s Director of Adult Services, Mary Doyle, for her tireless efforts.”

f a m i l y c o r n e r

For more information on all the ways you can help to support ACA, please contact Noel Crotone at (845) 889-9208 or NoelCrotone@ACenterforAutism.org. Donations should be made payable to Anderson Foundation for Autism.

s t a f f k u d o s

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recognizing sTaff achievemenTsRecently, ACA paid tribute its hard working staff with a Staff Recognition celebration that marked overall staff achievements

and the standout efforts of certain individual members of the team. Meritorious Award recipients included Johnita Green

(Adult Services), Karen Johnson (Children’s Services), Laverne Randolph (Ancillary Services), Susan Germann

(Administrative and Support) and Tony Glenn (Executive Director Leadership Award).

aca accepTs val-kill medalIn October, Executive Director, Neil Pollack, was presented with the 2009

Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal at a ceremony held at the Eleanor

Roosevelt Historical Site in Hyde Park. The prestigious award recognizes

organizations that embody the humanitarian spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt

herself. In his acceptance speech, Pollack outlined the critical issues

related to autism in today’s society and stressed ACA’s commitment to

the programs that will live up to the honor that has been bestowed on the

organization with this award.

Special thanks go to ACA Board member Tondra Lynford for her very kind

words in her introduction of ACA at the event and to ERVK’s Executive

Director, Kathleen Durham, who also joined us for our annual Gala in

October, for her continued support of our organization.

congraTulaTions To The following sTaff memBers who are celeBraTing milesTone anniversaries wiTh aca This year

20 yearsDolores E. Tarantino

Olive Simms

Winsome Grant

Karl Frizzell

Kenneth R. Saunders

30 yearsLorraine A. Hejnal

William J. Wilson

25 yearsCarolyn E. Weber

Carol Schloemer

Caroline M. Davison

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a new approach To program iniTiaTives needing fundingThis year, initiatives directly relating to programs that are currently unfunded from grants or private and public support are

being presented at special events such as our recent Gala. We have introduced a new “fund an item” concept for supporters

to make contributions that directly benefit initiatives such as the following:

arT program - Providing opportunities for our adults to express themselves through art. Participants would be exposed

to several mediums through individual art pieces as well as collaborative pieces. The program offers opportunities to develop

social and leisure skills while improving self esteem. Artwork will be displayed at a community exhibit as well as other

exhibits. Estimated cost: $3,000/2 yr program

The long range goal is to secure a community site to be used as an art studio. Necessary equipment would be two pottery

wheels, clay tools, clay, drying racks and kiln for firing ceramic pieces. Other equipment sought would be easels, canvases,

paint supplies. Estimated cost: $12,000/annually

rock wiTh me - The great majority of the students we serve exhibit difficulties in balancing and organizing sensory input.

Some students may react significantly to sounds, sights or smells in their environment. Others may seek out sensory input,

instinctively recognizing their own need for sensory stimulation in an effort to calm and refocus. It is our experience that

many children with autism benefit from vestibular regulation (the balance created in the body by the relationship between

the brain, eyes and inner ear). Vestibular input can be obtained by swinging in a hammock or swing, or rocking in a rocking

chair. This can become an effective self regulation strategy that can benefit them for their lifetime. This is an easy, inexpensive

way to ensure students have immediate access to this important, vestibular input. Estimated cost $3,000

winTer wellness - Opportunities for organized winter exercise/recreation are limited. This program will provide our

students with snowshoe equipment (and instruction for use) to increase outdoor activities, thereby supporting the program’s

commitment to student health and wellness. Teaching students to participate with this equipment will assist in skill

development, and confidence building as well as the obvious health/fitness benefits. Estimated cost $3,000

equine assisTed Therapy - This therapy targets a variety of motor, motor-planning, problem solving, communication and

social interaction skills. A 75 minute session includes both riding and non-riding activities. Students who have participated

in past sessions have demonstrated an increase in communication and motor planning skills as well as measurable difference

in improved posture, tone, balance and coordination. Eight sessions for 6-8 students. Estimated cost $9,600

communicaTion enhancemenT iniTiaTive - To enhance resources available for the Speech Department to better

assess and deliver services to the students and adults with speech related issues, this initiative would provide specific

augmentative communication devices and software that would promote independent, functional communication for many of

our participants. Estimated cost $4,246

For more information on all the ways you can help to support ACA, please contact Noel Crotone at (845) 889-9208 or NoelCrotone@ACenterforAutism.org. Donations should be made payable to Anderson Foundation for Autism.

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A C A n o t e s a n d n o t a b l e s

Bowling league dinnerIn September,14 students took part in a dinner to celebrate the

completion of the 2009 Taconic Friendship Bowling League.

During the season, the students met up with other agencies every

Sunday afternoon at Mid City Lanes in Kingston. At the dinner

each student was presented with a trophy in recognition of their

participation. Congratulations to Isaac M, Kyle Z, Jeffery F, Kyle

G, Jarret R, Bill H, Leonard A, Imani B, Richard A, Brendan S,

Chris D, Bradley R, Daniel M, and William H for all their hard

work. Special thanks also go to staff members Jarmar Richardson

for organizing the league for all to enjoy and Kwame Wiafeakenten,

Jr. for organizing the dinner.

upcoming evenTwednesday, decemBer 9Th

Annual Holiday Open House

ACA’s Annual Holiday Open House recognizes the diverse celebrations of the season. We invite staff, Board members, and ACA parents to join us during this festive time of year, for a wonderful opportunity to mingle with staff and

one another.12:00-4:30 pm

Location: Mansewood (Administration Building)

aca inTernship leads To discovering “True passion”For seven weeks this summer, Molly Remch, now a junior at

the Spence School in Manhattan, participated in an internship

with ACA’s Occupational Therapy Department, during

which she lived at ACA and commuted home for the

weekends.

Molly completed an orientation covering an overview of

developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder in

addition to mandatory training to be CPR and First Aid

certified. Once trained and certified, she observed and

assisted with ACA’s OTs during individual and group sessions

and helped plan the Wacky Water Olympics, an end-of-

summer event run by the OT and PT Departments.

“Working at ACA was the most rewarding experience I’ve

ever had, reports Molly. “I really saw the difference I was

able to make in the lives of the children and adults. I realized

that if we could accomplish so much in just seven weeks,

there is much more I could do by working with people who

share the goal of helping individuals with autism to reach

their potential.”

Molly feels the experience has opened her up to an array of

future job possibilities. She now looks toward strengthening

the relationship between her school and ACA by hosting a

lunch forum to inform Spence students about autism and the

work of ACA. Great work Molly!

aca nurse Travels as a delegaTe To chinaACA’s Heidi Schlipmann, RN, Nurse Supervisor, was recently

chosen to travel to China as a delegate in a two week program,

designed in conjunction with The Nightingale Initiative for

Global Health, to carry out a mission to share collective nursing

wisdom and values as health diplomats in creating a healthy

world. The itinerary called for both cultural and professional

days at a variety of locations throughout China, providing a

number of opportunities to learn more about nursing and the

healthcare system in China as a whole while also providing

information on health care delivery and specialty nursing

practices in the U.S. Heidi expressed that her personal goal was

to return a better nurse

and a more enlightened

person. She looks

forward to sharing all

she’s learned with her

“wonderful supportive

co-workers and friends.”

Great work Heidi!

Marisa Perez-Rogers, Trustee

Paul Porco, Trustee

William R. Salmeri, Trustee

Fritz Sonnenschmidt, Trustee

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celeBraTing harvesT fesTivalIn October, ACA held our annual Harvest Festival with an open house for families and activities celebrating the harvest season.

During the event, a puppet show production, “Cinderella - The Musical,” was performed by members of the Anderson Theatrical

Productions led by DeeDee Casapu. This was DeeDee’s last production as she is moving out of state to begin a new adventure.

scenes from The gala In an evening filled with excitement and joy, we were able to capture many poignant moments and smiling faces.

Here are a few to enjoy.

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4885 Route 9 · P.O. Box 367

Staatsburg, NY 12580-0367

Ph: 845-889-4034

www.AndersonCenterforAutism.org

The season of giving is fasT approachingWatch for our annual appeal to arrive in your mail soon. We ask you to consider how you might support ACA

today and in the year ahead. Your contributions will assist us in providing the best educational, residential and

recreational opportunities to the children and adults we serve, both on campus and in the community. Visit our

website at www.AndersonCenterforAutism.org to make your donation online or contact Noel Crotone,

Fundraising and Special Events Manager at (845) 889-9208 for more information. Thank you.