Searching for a Star

On the Sunday Morning Show, CBS presented a very interesting segment about Hollywood Stars who are becoming involved with various charitable organizations. At the School for Language and Communication Development (SLCD), we have always been looking for a Star who could present our mission and illuminate the needs of our children with disabilities. It would, of course, be wonderful to have Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt but Hollywood is very far away from Long Island. As a result, we are looking for a Star who lives in New York City or on Long Island. Most of the Hollywood Stars focus on high profile causes in various countries throughout the world. Although there are children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in every country, SLCD is located here on Long Island and in Queens. Our cause is critical and important to the children and families that we serve now and in the future.

By Dr. Ellenmorris Tiegerman, Founder and Executive Director of the School for Language and Communication Development (SLCD) in Glen Cove and Professor Emeritus at the Derner Institute for Advanced Psychology Studies at Adelphi University. She can be reached at 516-609-2000 and www.slcd.org.

The number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders has been increasing over the past two decades. Now there are approximately 1 in 100 children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Certainly, medical practitioners and clinicians are much more sophisticated about diagnosing ASD at a much earlier age than in past years. Most children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are identified between 18 and 24 months of age in the United States. In developing countries, either the problem is diagnosed later or not at all because clinical and educational services are not available. In the United States, we are fortunate to have a comprehensive special education system which provides early intervention services to children and families.

In addition, SLCD will be celebrating its 25^th birthday this year. The educational work that we do at SLCD has important implications for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders all over the world. Every child that succeeds at SLCD teaches us something about autism which can benefit children in other programs and countries. Also, every child that succeeds at SLCD has a future and a potential for independent living as an adult. Research indicates that there is a significant relationship between disability and poverty. Adults with disabilities are usually the last hired and the first fired. We have educated thousands of children in the last quarter century, and we serve children from Long Island and all of New York City within a 50-mile radius.

We would like to interview a prominent personality who loves children and wants to become directly involved with a diverse community of families from a broad spectrum of society. Our Star should be willing to roll up his or her sleeves to come into our classrooms to learn about our children, our teachers and our programs. If you are a Star who is just interested in a photo opportunity, please do not apply. Our Star should be someone who has a strong sense of commitment to children’s causes and who wants to champion a worldwide problem. If you have a passion for children with developmental disabilities, please apply immediately. Our children deserve a chance to reach for the stars. Be our Star!