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HUMANE CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
Support the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
Autism is a complicated developmental disability marked by inhibited communication, problems with social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Considered a “spectrum disorder” because of its varying degrees of severity, autism typically appears before age 3 and persists throughout the affected child’s lifetime. The causes of autism are unclear and there is no cure.
When former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie’s son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3, Flutie was thankful to have the resources to provide the lifetime of care his son would need. Realizing that others might not be so fortunate, Flutie and his wife, Laurie, started the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism in 2000 to honor their son and to support other families affected by autism.
The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those with autism and to increasing awareness about the challenges that autism presents. The Foundation offers services such as the Flutie Family Safe & Secure Project, a partnership with LoJack SafetyNet to supply tracking bracelets at no cost to families of autistic children who wander. The Foundation also sponsors a summer water sports program for autistic children and distributes computers to underprivileged families of children with autism and their school districts.
As well as providing invaluable services, the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism awards grants to families that need help caring for autistic children, to autism education and advocacy efforts, and to therapeutic, recreational, and social skills programs.
The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism’s calendar is packed with events to educate the public and garner support during April, which is National Autism Awareness Month. Participants in the Foundation’s Rock n’ Hoops competition will shoot free throws to raise money for vital services, Dougie’s Marathon Team will run in the Boston Marathon, and the Foundation will take a trip to the Massachusetts State House to discuss autism with legislators.
The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism has made a tremendous difference in the lives of autistic children and their families. For more information about the Foundation’s humane programs or for information about autism in general, please visit FlutieFoundation.org.
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