For Immediate Release: February 28, 2003
Contact: James Dague at I-CARE Arts for Autism: 708.957.7599, james@artsforautism.org
Contact: Monty Harper, 405 624 3805, monty@montyharper.com


Local Artist Contributes to Arts for Autism Charity CD Released During National Autism Awareness Month



HOMEWOOD, IL February 28, 2003 -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2001), as many as 1 per 166 individuals are affected with autism, which equates to nearly 1,750,000 families in the United States who are directly affected by this puzzling disorder. Despite the fact that the rate of incidence for autism is increasing at an alarming rate, the general public is largely unfamiliar with the meaning of the term autism. In an effort to promote public awareness, I-CARE, a non-profit organization committed to funding autism research and community education, in concert with PlayhouseRadio.com, an Internet radio station for kids 0-8, is releasing the Arts for Autism charity CD of children’s songs during April, National Autism Awareness Month.

Local children’s artist, Monty Harper, of Stillwater, OK, contributed a track to the CD, along with nine children’s artists from across the nation. Harper’s track, “Howdy Song,” may be heard for free at PlayhouseRadio.com. It is one of eleven songs from his latest CD/Cassette, Take Me to Your Library. For more information about Harper, visit www.montyharper.com.

Paige Dague of Homewood, IL, Arts for Autism coordinator, I-CARE member and parent of an autistic child, is pleased with the response the CD has received. The Arts for Autism charity CD contains 10 songs and will be available for $9.95 during the month of April at PlayhouseRadio.com. “We’re all very proud of this CD and grateful to the artists and PlayhouseRadio for their donations to the project”, Dague said. All of the artists appearing on the disc donated their royalties to I-CARE and PlayhouseRadio.com is donating the profit from sales of the disc to I-CARE as well.

I-CARE will use the money generated from sales of the CD toward awareness-raising campaigns. Extensive work is needed in order to educate the public about this impairment. Unbeknownst to most people, autism is a lifelong brain disorder which impairs speech and gesturing and the ways in which an individual is able to respond socially. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, there is a wide variety in the range and severity of symptoms autistic individuals show. Currently there is no cure for or undisputed known cause of autism. Interestingly, the international symbol for autism is a puzzle piece, signifying the mystery of this disorder.

For more detailed information about autism, the I-CARE organization or the Arts for Autism charity CD of children’s songs, visit http://www.artsforautism.org.


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