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Brief background to the idea
Autism, formally called the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a
neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s thinking, cognition, growth, interaction,
and how s/he experiences the world around them. The prevalence of the condition in the US
elicits high concerns. According to the Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), 1 in
every 36 children in the US is today diagnosed with autism, up 1 in every 44 children
(Autism Speaks, 2023). The prevalence in adults’ rests at 1 in every 44 adults, according to
Autism Speaks. In the Virginia state, the WorldPopulationView.com. estimates an ASD
prevalence of 17% among children aged 3 to 17 years (Kesherim, 2023). The state reports a
2.14% adults’ prevalence of ASD, making it one of the hotspots of ASD in the US (World
Population Review, 2023). The diagnosis of a family member with autism coins the onset of
diverse complexities. This is because ASD patients present complex needs, which require
financial, emotional, physical and mental investment, which are somewhat stressful and
burdensome. Children with autism, for instance require special resources and support to attain
the dynamic growth and development milestones. A typical child with ASD will require
frequent medical attention, therapy, special schools, special diets and attention, among other
things critical to support their growth. The situation could prove unbearable (stressful and
pressuring), especially for low-income families, those new to the basics of taking care of
children with autism, parents with tight work schedules and those living in communities
without a care facility for persons with ASD. Parents with autistic child(ren) are therefore,
vulnerable to mental health disorders (e.g. stress, anxiety, depression and trauma etc.). In
some cases, the pressure of raising a child with special needs triggers problems, leading to
anomalies in family functioning. The need for program support for these families can
therefore, never be overstated.
Idea description/overview
The current project idea is to be a center of care/excellence for patients (children and
adults) with autism living in Virginia Islands. The initiative focuses on improving access to
affordable, high-quality services related to individuals with and affected by autism.
Target group/population
The initiative primarily targets patients (children and adults) with autism and their
families. Children with autism endure learning difficulties, communication, relationship and
behavioral issues. Adults with this condition presents problems like trouble with emotional
, 2
regulation, executive functioning, communication and cognition, which impede their ability
to socialize or get employment. In a nutshell, persons with autism require dynamic support,
which families may not comprehensively afford to provide. Only residents of Virginia Island
will automatically be eligible for the program. Referrals from other regions will be
considered.
Program/initiative title
Autism Care Center of Excellence (ACCE)
Mission Statement: Our mission is to revive the ray of hope for persons with autism.
We want to offer a reliable, ever available asylum and a firm beacon of hope to people
affected by autism (patients and families).
Vision: We envision an autism-focused initiative with capacity to transform the lives of
children and adults with autism, by offering locally accessible, high-quality care and support.
We also envision a community well-versed with autism-related information and knowledge,
empowered to produce best outcomes for persons living with autism.
Program goals
ACCE aims at achieving a variety of goals, which include the following:
Elevating Healthcare Standards: Our campaign takes shape versed with the prevailing
inadequacies in the country’s healthcare system, considering the role of these
inadequacies in the prevalence of autism and intricacies thwarting efficiency in
promoting mainstream and specialized autism care within the U.S Virgin Islands. We
will share stories and experiences by local families who've had to leave the islands
for better care, underscoring the emotional and financial burden the whole experience
places on them.
Building the Autism Center of Excellence (ACE): The plan is to build an autism
providing a complexity of autism-related services to this group, which is faces a
backlog of problems accessing quality, reliable, dignified and affordable care and
education about autism. ACCE aims at providing competitive products which
include (but not limited to) training and technical assistance, counselling, therapy and
related treatment services, autism-related resources and referral services for patients
and families.
Brief background to the idea
Autism, formally called the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a
neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s thinking, cognition, growth, interaction,
and how s/he experiences the world around them. The prevalence of the condition in the US
elicits high concerns. According to the Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), 1 in
every 36 children in the US is today diagnosed with autism, up 1 in every 44 children
(Autism Speaks, 2023). The prevalence in adults’ rests at 1 in every 44 adults, according to
Autism Speaks. In the Virginia state, the WorldPopulationView.com. estimates an ASD
prevalence of 17% among children aged 3 to 17 years (Kesherim, 2023). The state reports a
2.14% adults’ prevalence of ASD, making it one of the hotspots of ASD in the US (World
Population Review, 2023). The diagnosis of a family member with autism coins the onset of
diverse complexities. This is because ASD patients present complex needs, which require
financial, emotional, physical and mental investment, which are somewhat stressful and
burdensome. Children with autism, for instance require special resources and support to attain
the dynamic growth and development milestones. A typical child with ASD will require
frequent medical attention, therapy, special schools, special diets and attention, among other
things critical to support their growth. The situation could prove unbearable (stressful and
pressuring), especially for low-income families, those new to the basics of taking care of
children with autism, parents with tight work schedules and those living in communities
without a care facility for persons with ASD. Parents with autistic child(ren) are therefore,
vulnerable to mental health disorders (e.g. stress, anxiety, depression and trauma etc.). In
some cases, the pressure of raising a child with special needs triggers problems, leading to
anomalies in family functioning. The need for program support for these families can
therefore, never be overstated.
Idea description/overview
The current project idea is to be a center of care/excellence for patients (children and
adults) with autism living in Virginia Islands. The initiative focuses on improving access to
affordable, high-quality services related to individuals with and affected by autism.
Target group/population
The initiative primarily targets patients (children and adults) with autism and their
families. Children with autism endure learning difficulties, communication, relationship and
behavioral issues. Adults with this condition presents problems like trouble with emotional
, 2
regulation, executive functioning, communication and cognition, which impede their ability
to socialize or get employment. In a nutshell, persons with autism require dynamic support,
which families may not comprehensively afford to provide. Only residents of Virginia Island
will automatically be eligible for the program. Referrals from other regions will be
considered.
Program/initiative title
Autism Care Center of Excellence (ACCE)
Mission Statement: Our mission is to revive the ray of hope for persons with autism.
We want to offer a reliable, ever available asylum and a firm beacon of hope to people
affected by autism (patients and families).
Vision: We envision an autism-focused initiative with capacity to transform the lives of
children and adults with autism, by offering locally accessible, high-quality care and support.
We also envision a community well-versed with autism-related information and knowledge,
empowered to produce best outcomes for persons living with autism.
Program goals
ACCE aims at achieving a variety of goals, which include the following:
Elevating Healthcare Standards: Our campaign takes shape versed with the prevailing
inadequacies in the country’s healthcare system, considering the role of these
inadequacies in the prevalence of autism and intricacies thwarting efficiency in
promoting mainstream and specialized autism care within the U.S Virgin Islands. We
will share stories and experiences by local families who've had to leave the islands
for better care, underscoring the emotional and financial burden the whole experience
places on them.
Building the Autism Center of Excellence (ACE): The plan is to build an autism
providing a complexity of autism-related services to this group, which is faces a
backlog of problems accessing quality, reliable, dignified and affordable care and
education about autism. ACCE aims at providing competitive products which
include (but not limited to) training and technical assistance, counselling, therapy and
related treatment services, autism-related resources and referral services for patients
and families.
