Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (myASDF) Sponsors Gift Card Programs

SCHERERVILLE, IN, June 08, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (www.autismspectrumdisorderfoundation.org), a national organization that provides direct support for families living with autism, funds the holiday gift card programs of five partner organizations dedicated to helping children and young adults diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation donated a total of $26,000 in Target and Walmart gift cards during the 2011 holiday season. Each $500 gift card helped 52 families have a joyous and unforgettable holiday as part of the Parker Autism Foundation (PAF), Oakland University Center for Autism Research, Education and Support (OUCARES), Families of Autism/Asperger's Care, Educate, and Support (FACES), Autism Pensacola, and Haugland Learning Center (HLC) holiday gift card programs.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation's gift cards couldn't have arrived at a better time for families affected by the financial and developmental challenges of autism. "My husband and I have been out of work for over a year and with no income and limited resources we did not know how we were going to make Christmas special this year," said one of PAF's recipients of a $500 gift card last Christmas. "With the gift cards we were able to get much needed groceries and clothes for the kids, and we were even able to get presents for under the tree. Each of our children will have something special under the tree all because of you!"

FACES's executive director Tami Burt said the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation's generous donation to the organization's holiday gift card program made her feel like Santa Claus. "There were tears and there were hugs and there was a great deal of gratitude," said Burt. "One mom who has had to depend on help from local agencies for years for Christmas presents told me, 'I forgot how this feels. I forgot that Christmas was supposed to feel this way. There was a great deal of joy in thinking about each of my kids and finding just the things they would love.'"

Another mother who was a gift card recipient said she had forgotten all about Christmas. She told the story of walking through a store during the holidays and having her child point out a toy he wanted. She recalls her knee-jerk reaction being, "We can't afford it," forgetting for a moment that she had a $500 gift card to buy her children the presents they wanted to help make their Christmas wishes come true.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation's holiday gift cards brought smiles to Autism Pensacola's families in need as well. Executive director Susan Byram, who delivered the gift cards, said, "I felt like Santa today as I shared the news with these families. Many of them said they were planning not to have Christmas this year. These gifts are making a lot of families very happy this season."

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation looks forward to increasing both its funding and its autism partners for the 2012 holiday gift card programs. The foundation expects to add two more partners and donate $500 gift cards for 73 families touched by autism. The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation anticipates donating a total of $36,000 in gift cards to help make the 2012 holiday season even more special for children and their families living with autism.

About Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation:
The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (myASDF) is a charity that supports children with autism spectrum disorders by providing education, information, and financial assistance to their families and relevant community service organizations. Funds donated to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation are used to address any and all kinds of issues in assisting children with autism and their families. Visit http://www.autismspectrumdisorderfoundation.org, email myASDF@yahoo.com, or call 877.806.0635 for more information and to see how you can help.