Our organization has been serving the Ft. Myers, Florida and Colombia, South America area since the beginning of 2009. Our mission is to support the members of these communities in their time of need, and work towards a greater good. We are tireless in our efforts to inform and educate people that have been touched by Autism. We help those seeking help in a time of need. Our non-profit organization serves people of all races, creeds, and religions. We do not discriminate. We merely support our fellow citizens, and serve as a guiding light.

The Ethan’s Friends Mission in Florida:
The mission of Ethan’s Friends is to support people after a loved one has been diagnosed with Autism and give them information to help them make informed and timely decisions concerning the care and education of their loved one.

The Ethan’s Friends Mission in Colombia, South America:
The mission of Ethan’s Friends is to support people after a loved one has been diagnosed with Autism and give them information to help them make informed and timely decisions concerning the care and education of their loved one and to provide monetary aid when warranted.

"There is an increasing demand in Colombia for services in autism and learning disabilities; however, there are no Colombian institutions to subsidize the treatment of persons with autism without financial resources." - (2006) Association for Behavior Analysis International 

National Children's Health Survey Report Finds
Autism Prevalence Now 1 in 91

Monday, October 5, 2009
By: Carin Yavorcik

Autism Society Calls for Answers to Crisis Now

A national report released today in the journal Pediatrics reveals that 1 percent of U.S. children ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder, an estimated prevalence of one in every 91 children. This is a dramatic increase from the one in 150 prevalence rates currently reported.

“This national study charts a dramatic rise in the prevalence of autism in the United States and we applaud this administration’s recognition that autism is an urgent public health priority,” said Autism Society President and CEO Lee Grossman. “But families today are asking: how high must these prevalence rates rise before the nation responds? Significant resources must be directed toward screening and diagnosis, affordable interventions that treat the whole person and comprehensive education plans to foster lifelong skill development so that people with autism will have the ability to work and live independently.”

The report, entitled “Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the US,” published in today’s issue of Pediatrics, was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services National Survey of Children’s Health, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report was conducted via a telephone survey of over 78,000 parents, and determined a point prevalence of 110 per 10,000 respondents, roughly 1 percent of the population of children in the United States.

On a constituent call to discuss the report, the CDC reported that its initial analysis of the Autism and Developmental Delay Monitoring project data, due out later this fall, confirm the 1 percent figure. This report will also contain more data on age of diagnosis, groups affected, and access to interventions.

The increasing numbers have long-term economic costs to the country, as autism is a chronic medical condition affecting people across the lifespan. “Lifespan services, particularly for adults, are typically inadequate and inappropriate,” Grossman stated. “This new data should be a call to action to the government to improve and increase services and supports first.”

Email us at donwschneider@hotmail.com for more details.