Faculty Spotlight
Professor Jan Blacher Launches Center to Help Families
Families of children with autism need help cutting the red tape to get services
May 9, 2007
Life's tough enough for parents raising kids, let alone a child with autism. So accessing services shouldn't add to the burden, according to GSOE Professor Jan Blacher.
That's why she recently launched a center at GSOE that serves as a clearinghouse that helps families find the necessary educational resources for their autistic children.
"With six out of every 1,000 children diagnosed with autism in the United States, we saw a need to bridge the gap between diagnosis and available services," said Blacher, who is a nationally known researcher, advocate and columnist.
The center, dubbed SEARCH (Support, Education, Advocacy, Resources, Community and Hope) debuted in Hollywood fashion with a star-studded April 19 fund raiser in Los Angeles.
"Autism is complex and families need to know where to go for educational services once they discover their child is affected," She said. "SEARCH will be available to assist with new educational needs that arise upon the transition to adolescence as well."