PREFACE from <[log in to unmask]>

This message is forwarded from [log in to unmask] - a list dealing with
'third sector' (non-profit/volunteer) research. The posting contains
information about Polish Programs of early therapy for Autistic
Individuals. Others working in this area may want to open contacts with
them.  The posting also contains a request for assistance in seeking
funding. Individuals on this list may want to help them with suggestions
with regard to promising avenues for funding.

Sam Lanfranco, ListMgt CANCHID & CUCHID <[log in to unmask]>

Subject:
             Early therapy for autistic individuals
        Date:
             Tue, 3 Feb 1998 20:39:04 -0800
       From:
             "W. Kaczmarczyk" <[log in to unmask]>
    Reply-To:
             International Third Sector Research List <[log in to unmask]>
 Organization:
             PSSiA
         To:
             [log in to unmask]




Hello,

The regional branch of the National Autism Society (NAS)
has come to our Center (Foundation in Support of Local
Democracy in Poland) in order to assist them with some
problem.
NAS in Kielce consists of a group of about 50 families
having autistic individuals in ages starting in 2 up to
more than 20. They have already had some good results of
early therapy of children who do not need extensive care
for the rest of their lifes. Another group (50?) from the
city do not belong to NAS and do not benefit form their
offer. NAS counts the total number of autistic individuals
in the whole region more than 200. Especially those
families living in the villages cannot participate in any
long-term therapy on a constant basis.
NAS in Kielce is developing a project directed at this
group of families from the region who have not chance to
participate in any good therapy bacause of lack of
information as well as financial sources. The purpose of
the project is to establish a kind of professional center
with the expertise of psychologists, pedagogists, MD.
They would advise families and develop individual and
group therapies. Moreover, the center role would become
disseminating the knowledge of autism to assist children's
doctor in order to facilitate early diagnosis.
There is lack of professionals (psychologists, pedagogists,
others) with the sound knowledge of autism. Therefore,
the project is to find excellent professionals and
train them in Warsaw and establish necessary infrastructure.
The project will last approx. two years.
NAS is searching opportunities to cover the costs of the
project. Local self-government in Kielce city will likely
consider supporting the initiative when first results will
appear. Than, support from other gminas will be easier.
Does anybody can recommend good addresses?

Appreciate your recommendations in order to finance
pilot phase of the project.

Kind regards,

Wojciech Kaczmarczyk
project co-ordinator
Foundation in Support of Local Democracy
25-532 Kielce, ul. Sienkiewicza 25
Poland
tel. 48 41 34 457 59
fax  48 41 34 477 62
e-mail: [log in to unmask]