Mitch Williams Golf Classic 
Drumming for Autism 
Autism Conference 
Small Miracles 2007 
Inaugural Ride for Autism 
Small Miracles 2006 
2008 Ride for Autism

Mitch Williams' First Annual Golf Classic to Benefit the Center for Autism was held at the Riverwinds Gold Club in West Deptford, NJ on September 25, 2008. The event was sponsored by Mitch Williams’ Wild Thing Salsa, McFadden’s at Citizens Bank Park and 3D Financial Group. Over 150 individuals participated and over $9,000 was raised for the Center. We look forward to next year’s event!

On January 26, Penncrest High School’s Indoor Drum Line Drummed for AutismAwareness at the Granite Run Mall in Media, Pa. The students distributed information on autism and collected donations for the Center, raising over $800!

Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism 
Presented by Dr. Fred Volkmar, Director of the Child Study Center at Yale University 
Hosted by The Center for Autism 
June 6, 2007 
2:00 PM 
Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue 

This conference aims to help professionals gain better understanding of: 
• New developments in the diagnosis of autism 
• Advances in behavioral and educational autism treatments 
• Progress in pharmacological autism treatments

About Dr. Volkmar 
Fred R. Volkmar, M.D. is the Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology and Director of the Yale University Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine. He is also the Chief of Child Psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT. A graduate of the University of Illinois where he received in undergraduate degree in psychology in 1972 and of Stanford University where he received his MD and a master’s degree in psychology in 1976 Dr. Volkmar was the primary author of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-IV autism and pervasive developmental disorders section. He is the author of several hundred scientific papers and chapters as well as a number of books including Asperger’s Syndrome (Guilford Press), Health Care for Children on the Autism Spectrum (Woodbine Publishing), and the Handbook of Autism (Wiley Publishing). He has served as an associate editor of the Journal of Autism, the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and the American Journal of Psychiatry and will be the editor of the Journal of Autism beginning in 2007. He has served as co-chairperson of the autism/intellectual disabilities committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition to directing the internationally known autism clinic he also serves as director of autism research at Yale. Dr. Volkmar is the principal investigator of three program project grants including a CPEA (Collaborative Program of Excellent in Autism) grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and a STAART (Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment) Autism Center Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

2007 Small Miracles Event Raises Over $45,000 
- Small Miracles Award presented to David St.Clair, founder and CEO, MEDecision - 

The Center for Autism hosted its annual Small Miracles Award Dinner on April 18, 2007 at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. The event raised over $45,000 and recognized David St.Clair, founder and CEO of MEDecision, with the Small Miracles Award for his years of dedicated service to the Center. 

A member of the Center for Autism’s board of directors for more than 20 years, St.Clair has provided valuable expertise in business development and served in an important leadership role. His heartfelt dedication to the Center has been a vital asset in the organization’s progress and success. 

St.Clair founded MEDecision in 1988 to provide healthcare payer organizations with software, services and clinical content that allow them to increase administrative efficiency and improve the overall quality and affordability of their members' healthcare. He and his wife, Gail, currently reside in Narberth, Pa. 

The event featured a casino night, silent auction and award ceremony. All event proceeds help support the Center for Autism’s evaluation and treatment services for the autistic community of Philadelphia.

Inaugural Motorcycle Ride Raises Over $8,500 for the Center

The Lucky Seven Motorcycle Club announces its inaugural Ride for Autism raised over $8,500 for the Center for Autism. The ride was held on April 7, 2007 and hundreds of local bikers traveled from Wissahickon High School in Ambler to Citizens Bank Park (Lot “P” off Darien St.). 

“This event was a huge success. Not only were we able to raise funds for the Center for Autism, but the ride called attention to an important issue that affects many families in our community,” said John Higgins, president of the Lucky Seven Motorcycle Club. “We look forward to hosting the Ride for Autism in support of the Center’s services every year.” 

On March 15, 2007, Rick Ciarrocchi, 13, scored the winning and only goal for the Mites on Ice at the Philadelphia Flyers Autism Awareness Night. At the conclusion of the ride, Ciarrocchi, a team member of the Fearless Flyers Special Hockey team, was presented with an award for his achievement.

2008 Ride for Autism Raises Over $11,000

The Lucky Seven Motorcycle Club's second annual Ride for Autism raised over $11,000 for the Center for Autism, a nonprofit autism treatment and evaluation center in Philadelphia. The event was held on Saturday, April 26, 2008 and over 300 hundred motorcycles traveled from Wissahickon High School in Ambler to McFadden’s at Citizens Bank Park. 

“This year’s ride was a huge success. Thanks to the support of the community, we surpassed the amount raised last year and more than doubled the number of participants,” said John Higgins, president of the Lucky Seven Motorcycle Club. “Most importantly, we called attention to the Center for Autism, a nonprofit organization that provides vital services to local residents. We look forward to continuing this tradition next year.” 

The event honored Jason Petrillo, a 17-year-old autistic resident of Broomall, with the Ride for Autism Award. Petrillo received the award for his accomplishments as a member of the Fearless Flyers Disabled Hockey Team. The ride was featured on 6ABC and in the Ambler Gazette. 

A special thank you to the 2008 Ride for Autism sponsors: 
Henkels & McCoy, Inc. 
TB Philly, Inc. 
Gerald Cooke, PH.D. & Margaret Cooke, PH.D.P.C. 
Lee D. Gaber, The Cycle Attorney 
Yellow Pony Farm 
Sports Radio 950 AM 
George & Mary Anne Gannon 
Knopf Motors, Inc. 
Capital Project Management, Inc. 
Aelitho Offset Printers, Inc. 
Brian's Harley Davidson/Buell 
Wayne-Walker Family 
FS Edmonds Elementary School 

 Click here to see photos> 
Click here to see video clips> 

 The Center for Autism Celebrates National Autism Awareness Month
Casino Night to benefit organization and honor Fredric and Sandra Mann

PHILADELPHIA, April 10, 2006 - The Center for Autism will host its Small Miracles, Big Winners: Casino Night on April 26 at the Rittenhouse Hotel from 6:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. Event proceeds will support the Center's various programs and initiatives.

Fredric and Sandra Mann will receive the Small Miracles Award for their dedicated service to the Center. Previous recipient, Jim Murray, former Philadelphia Eagles general manager and a founder of the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia, will be presenting the award.

For several years, Fredric and Sandra have played integral roles in planning annual functions for the Center and supporting its fundraising efforts. Frederic currently sits on the Center's Board of Directors. They are also actively involved in organizations including the Philadelphia Boy Scouts of America, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the Atwater Kent Museum, the Glen Mills School for Adjudicated Delinquent Boys and the Fox Chase Cancer Center.

"Casino Night is significant to the Center and all those who contribute to its success," said Jean Ruttenberg, executive director of the Center for Autism. "This event is a great way to commemorate our 50th anniversary and affirm our commitment to providing vital resources to individuals with autism."