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Autism Society District of Columbia

About DCASA

 We would first like to introduce ourselves to you. We are the DC Chapter of the Autism Society (DCASA).   DCASA was re-organized in 1975 by a group of parents committed to advocacy and support of persons with autism and other developmental disabilities.  For more than thirty years, we have worked hard to ensure that persons with autism and their families are provided with a strong support system.  We have insisted that persons with autism and other developmental disabilities be respected and have the same opportunity for a high quality of life through the life span.

 Years of living with autism and advocating for our children have made us relatively proficient in the following areas: 

• Recognizing and coping with autism.
• Assisting other parents in coping and identifying appropriate placements as well as seeking qualified and knowledgeable professionals (doctors, etc.).
• Presenting at workshops/seminars for parents and professionals dealing with autism.
• Developing social activities for families.
• Executing fundraisers.
• Working with elected and non-elected officials who fund and draft policies for our children’s programs.
• Creating and managing a week long residential summer camp for children and adults with autism.  The campers’ must be a member of both National and DCASA in order to be eligible for camp.  The camper must be at least 7(seven) years old. 

 One of DCASA’s goals was to establish a supported residential facility for our adult children.  On February 19, 2010, three of our adult children moved into their own home.  Due to the ever increasing number of children being diagnosed with autism or autism spectrum, we are inviting families with young children and adolescents to join us to help solve the puzzle of autism.

Camper Ship Program for Children and Adults with Autism

 1. Introduction

        Autism is a neurological condition resulting in severe communication disorders that affect an individual’s ability to understand and use language properly. The essential features include disturbance of: 1) developmental rates and / or sequences; 2) responses to sensory stimuli; 3) speech, language, and cognitive capacities; and 4) capacities to relate to people, events, and objects. It is a severely incapacitating lifelong developmental disability that is typically diagnosed during the first three years of life. Autism occurs in approximately 1 out of every 100 children, and is four times more common in males than in females. It affects individuals from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, with no known factors in the child’s psychological environment found to cause this disorder.

 In the late 1970s, approximately 10 parents with children who had been diagnosed with autism sought the support of one another as well as medical and educational professionals. In doing so, they formed the D.C. Chapter of the Autism Society of America (DCASA). Family members met regularly to discuss their concerns, successes, and advances in the field of autism. Professionals generously volunteered their time to speak to the group and answer their questions. Realizing the importance of offering their children opportunities to participate in the same activities as other non-disabled children and knowing that few programs for this population existed, DCASA formed the District of Columbia Autistic Educational Program, Inc. (DCAEP). DCAEP was established in 1985 to meet the needs of children with autism as well as their parents. The mission of DCAEP is to provide quality care and meaningful programs for children and adults with autism. As the auxiliary body of DCASA, its main function is to provide camper ships for children and adults with autism whose families would not have this opportunity and at the same time provide respite for families.

 2. Specific Aims

        There are two basic aims of this project: 1.) to provide children and adults with autism with an opportunity to attend camp for one week and 2.) to provide parents with respite from serving as the primary care giver. By attending camp, these children and adults will benefit in a variety of ways:

• Improved communication between persons with autism as well as with their non-disabled peers.
• Increased self-esteem.
• Enhanced self-efficiency in learning to do things independently.
• Increased opportunities to engage in meaningful relationships.
• Enhanced opportunities to participate in group activities.
• Increased awareness of others’ needs and disabilities.

 Our Mission

DCASA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people with autism through advocacy, public awareness, education, and activities that promote community integration.

DCASA provides monthly support meetings for parents, siblings, and other caregivers to freely discuss their unique needs and interests. Speakers representing various educational, healthcare, and social service agencies are frequently invited to update the group on relevant issues.

DCASA also conducts workshops for service providers who work with individuals who have autism and exhibits at health fairs and autism awareness events.

The organization is a strong advocate for local and federal legislation to provide services for citizens of the District of Columbia who have autism. One of the crowning achievements of DCASA is its summer camp program.

The District of Columbia Chapter of the Autism Society of America is open to all who provide care for children and adults with autism.

202-561-5300 Office/Voice Mail

sondrakcunningham@verizon.net 

Board Members

Members of the Board

Ron Hampton, President

202-744-2897                                       

Rhoda M. Smith, Vice President

202-832-5809 

Denise Stockton, Secretary

202-561-5300                                               

Franklin Davis, Treasurer

202-561-5300                                         

Sondra K. Cunningham, Immediate Past President                

202-561-5300/202-561-8634