Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Unveils Regional Autism Centers

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Responding to the needs
of the growing number of Pennsylvanians living with an autism spectrum
disorder, Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle B. Richman today unveiled three
new regional autism centers geared toward improving access to services,
education, research and training for families and professionals in need.

"The increased prevalence of autism has resulted in a greater demand for
services, but the development of new programs has not kept pace -- a challenge
that has left many families searching for quality services," said Secretary
Richman. "In pooling our statewide resources to create these regional
centers, Pennsylvania will be better suited to continue bridging the gap to
critical programs and information that can significantly enhance the lives of
our families."

Funded through the Department of Public Welfare, each center represents a
partnership of medical centers, centers of autism research and services,
universities and other providers of services involved in the treatment and
care of adults and children with an autism spectrum disorder.

The centers, a primary recommendation of the Pennsylvania Autism Task Force
commissioned in 2004, will improve regional access to quality services and
interventions, provide information and support to families, train
professionals in best practices and facilitate collaboration among providers
of services throughout the commonwealth.

Centers will be focused in the eastern, western and central parts of
Pennsylvania. They include:
-- Central: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Philhaven's
Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities; Vista Foundation.
-- Eastern: University of Pennsylvania Center for Autism Research;
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Holy Family University; Drexel
University; Lehigh University.

-- Western: UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of
Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Center for Autism and Developmental
Disorders; The Watson Institute; Dr. Gertrude Barber Center, Inc.;
UPMC
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Child Development Unit Autism
Center; University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science
and Technology; University of Pittsburgh, School of Education, Special
Education; The Achievement Center and LEADERS program, Mercyhurst
College.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a set of five disorders that include Autistic
Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett Syndrome
and Pervasive Development Disorder. Children and adults living with autism
generally have impairments in social, communicative, and behavior development
that are frequently accompanied by problems with cognitive functioning,
learning, attention and sensory processing.

To learn more about the regional centers or for more information about
programs and services for Pennsylvanians with autism, visit
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

Stacey Witalec of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare,
+1-717-787-4592