Lawmaker, Bookstore to Host Autism Awareness Month Events

Staten Island Advance - Thursday, April 17, 2008

Marking April as Autism Awareness Month, Assemblyman Lou Tobacco and Barnes & Noble will host a series of workshops for parents and kids at the New Springville book emporium beginning next week, with Tobacco kicking things off tomorrow with an afternoon read-a-thon.

"By partnering . . . we can help to increase awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders and let children and families . . . know that they are not alone in their battles with the disorder," said Tobacco (R-South Shore), who sponsored a state forum on the topic last month on the grounds of Mount Loretto.

Tobacco will read to autistic children tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 2245 Richmond Ave. Next week, he and the bookstore will co-host a series of educational workshops, storytime readings, a reading marathon and arts and crafts sessions for kids with autism.

Additional activities will be on tap for the remainder of the month.

One such event will include a reading pertaining to Asperger's syndrome and informational presentation by Staci Weile, director of continuing education, and Karen Gallo, disability services counselor, from the College of Staten Island.

"These events are a terrific opportunity for children and families who face the up-and-down struggles that autism presents by giving them additional support and comfort," said Tobacco. "I am hopeful the events will serve as an important learning experience for residents on Staten Island with regard to autism."

For further information about the schedule of events, call Michele Murray at Barnes & Noble at 718-982-7623.

By Judy L. Randall
Reprinted here with permission from the