Unicorn Children's Foundation Invited to United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day

Boca Raton, FL — April 5, 2010 –  Unicorn Children's Foundation's Founder Dr. Mark Rosenbloom, and its Executive Director Sharon Alexander, were active participants in the prestigious opening event for the second annual World Autism Awareness Day at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, April 1, 2010. The invitation honored the Unicorn Children's Foundation for its national and international efforts dedicated to autism research and education.

 

The event was attended by approximately 100 UN ambassadors, their representatives and autism experts. It was hosted by the Israel mission and ALUT (the Israeli Society for Autistic Children).

 

Speeches by the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, the honorable Gabriela Shalev, and the Chief of the Department of Public Information at the United Nations, Juan Carlos Brandt, highlighted the alarming increase in the prevalence of autism (1 out of 91 births) and less severe "autism-spectrum" communication and learning disorders (1 out of 8 children). The imperative for international efforts to identify and combat these disorders was discussed. The need for organizations such as ALUT and the Unicorn Children's Foundation, that disseminate information and "best practices" in autism research and treatment worldwide, was emphasized.

 

During the evening, "Mabul", a full-length feature film directed by Guy Nattiv,  was "world-premiered". This movie demonstrated the complex family and community challenges that ensue when a teenager with severe autism unexpectedly returns home. The audience responded emotionally to this brilliant movie, which dealt with real autism issues, and touched on an emerging new potential social crisis – What happens when the millions of children currently diagnosed with autism begin to reach adulthood?

 

Unicorn Children's Foundation recognizes this potential new crisis and is focusing on the emerging adult with autism. They are planning conferences and are exploring a collaboration with ALUT to bring ALUT's most successful practices to North America.

 

Unicorn Children’s Foundation will be hosting a Denim, Diamonds, & Dice Casino Night fundraiser  on April 23, 2010 at Broken Sound Country Club to support its local and international initiatives.  Visit the www.UnicornChildrensFoundation.org or call 561.620.9377 for more information.

 

Unicorn Children Foundation (UCF) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to education, awareness and research on behalf of children and young adults with developmental,  learning and communication disorders such as ADHD,  autism, bipolar, and dyslexia. UCF was founded in 1995 by Dr Mark Rosenbloom, an Emergency Physician, after his son was misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated by one "autism professional" after another. Out of his pain and frustration, and a wish to provide hope for all families with children who suffer from these disorders, the Unicorn Children's Foundation was born.  Since 1995, UCF has raised well over $10,000,000 and highlights of its accomplishments include: launching the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning Disorders, creating a new peer-reviewed journal, developing and disseminating worldwide ground-breaking and extensive evaluation and treatment guidelines, launching a yearly scientific conference, creating the first fully-endowed chair in Communications and Learning Disorders at a major university (Nova Southeastern), and sponsoring a unique Mobile Developmental Clinic that helps provides free developmental screenings and parent consultations in traditionally underserved counties.

(left to right) UCF Executive Director Sharon Alexander, Ambassador Gabriela Shalev, UCF Founder Dr. Mark Rosenbloom

 

(left to right) UCF Executive Director Sharon Alexander, Guy Nattiv, UCF Founder Dr. Mark Rosenbloom