SDA Summer Marathon Topic (August 4-6)

2011-05-12 07:31:08 pm

Waiting hurts my soul...

Seems like there's plenty of charities to choose from that focus on autism, but I have yet to find any international ones.

Here's one that gives relief to autism families specifically hit by disasters:

http://www.autismcares.org/site/c.mqLOIYOBKlF/b.4745901/k.BD21/Home.htm

They're currently helping families hit by the tornadoes in the southern states.

NXRunner

2011-05-13 08:51:20 am

Novice Speedrunner

I have three friends I can think of off the top of my head who have varying forms of Autism, so I can definitely see that one working out - almost everyone knows at least one person, or a family with one person, who has autism. Just because it's not quite as publicized as cancer or it's ilk doesn't mean it's not still a big issue.

As a side note to Essentia - if you're concerned that Celise might be showing signs, have the check done as soon as possible. Depending on how things proceed, even if she is autistic, she could very well be able to function in life just fine; one of the autistic friends is the sister of another friend for me. She's 20, and despite that her mental level is more about 16, she can function just fine on her own and is going into college soon. It's different for everyone.

ashe_bug

2011-05-13 09:06:43 am

+2 against silly

As a budding psychologist and an autistic person myself, I echo the comment that early intervention is KEY. I don't like to think of autism as a "bad thing," but the fact of the matter is that neurotypical society is the norm at this current juncture, and unless one can function within those constraints of NT society, then... yeah. I was diagnosed at an early age and, though the road's been bumpy, I'm well on my way to getting my bachelor's in a double major.

I'm sure if you guys can actually get this marathon off that any of the autism support charities would be more than willing to accept help. Plus you guys have better organization than any single person - I tried doing a run for Autism Speaks and that fell through because of PayPal red tape. :<

theseawolf1

2011-05-13 09:21:50 am

SGL Scrublord

Autism's a big deal near me, our local area in Brick/Toms River is something of a cancer/autism cluster (thanks a bunch Ciba-Geigy). In fact its kinda common for local people to assume me autistic at the first meeting, just from me talking too fast and the area's penchant for the condition. Combined with the fact that they have discovered such a wide spectrum of autism, its certainly starting to get some face time.

Essentia

2011-05-13 09:25:20 am

Everything's better with Magitek

Here's the reason we haven't had Celise diagnosed yet: We've got her in an Early Intervention program, and they said that even if she was diagnosed with autism, it wouldn't change any of the treatment that they're doing. Also, I've heard that the younger they are, the more likely they are to be misdiagnosed. She is getting help, and she's made a ton of progress in this past year since she's been in the program. We've got an appointment next month to have her tested for preschool before she turns 3 in July, so we'll find out more then.

ZenicReverie

2011-05-13 09:26:18 am

Waiting hurts my soul...

Quote from NXRunner:

Just because it's not quite as publicized as cancer or it's ilk doesn't mean it's not still a big issue.

Autism affects a lot of people and is a good choice; I was trying to explain why more people were suggesting cancer charities, not suggest we go one way or another. Autism encompasses so many disorders at varying levels of disability that I don't think it gets as much attention as cancer, which pretty much always leads to death if left untreated.

Here's a quick list from google:
http://www.autism-resources.com/links/charities.html
http://www.autism-resources.com/autismfaq-foun.html
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/content.view/catid/63/cpid/417.htm

theseawolf1

2011-05-13 09:35:10 am

SGL Scrublord

And its true diagnosing many things takes time, or is wildly inaccurate early on in a child's life. We didn't get a full bead on my sister's Prader Willy Syndrome or all its random accompanying side effects until she was almost 3, with a few false alarms/reliefs along the way.

puwexil

2011-05-13 10:02:28 am

Professional Second Banana

Coming from a family of psychologists, I've always had a lot of sympathy for people with autism spectrum disorders. I have a cousin with severe autism that will never be able to live independently; and even milder forms of autism like Asperger's Syndrome still make it difficult to interact with other people in healthy ways.

If we pick an autism charity, my vote would be for one other than ACT Today, since that charity already gets a lot of money from TSG's marathons.

mikwuyma

2011-05-13 12:24:28 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Okay, it sounds like we should support an autism charity that isn't ACT Today. I'll start doing research into autism charities soon.

InsipidMuckyWater

2011-05-13 04:29:06 pm

Visit my profile to see my runs!

I am so thrilled! Thanks for being vocal, everybody!

I was going to attach a powerpoint about autism spectrum disorders I wrote in undergrad, but then I looked at it and realized it was gaaarbage. Google would better serve you. Lol

dunnius

2011-05-13 06:32:34 pm

Intruding N313 and F014

One thing that needs to be checked is how much of the donations actually go to the cause. There are many charities that have way too much overhead.

NXRunner

2011-05-14 12:06:59 am

Novice Speedrunner

http://www.autismspeaks.org/

http://www.researchautism.org/

http://www.autism.com/

http://www.autismsciencefoundation.org/

Leaving out ACT, there's the first four I've found. The sites have the details; prune away.

Sir VG

2011-05-14 12:23:55 am

Fucking Weeaboo

I looked up though Charity Navigator, and the Autism Research Institute (http://www.autism.com/) is given a very high rating (4 stars and a very high efficiency). Autism Speaks was much lower (2 stars and a pretty low efficiency rating). Organization for Autism Research was also given a high rating (4 stars, fairly high efficiency). I see nothing listed for the Autism Science Foundation.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=8792 (Autism Research Institute)
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12720 (Autism Speaks)
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=11285 (Organization for Autism Research)

Take these results as you will.

Tranquilite

2011-05-15 01:20:07 am

I have a brother who is severely autistic (or rather, severely brain damaged due to dental malpractice at a young age), and I wholeheartedly support an autism charity.

Riskbreaker Y

2011-05-15 04:41:47 pm

berserker status

It seems like people are getting behind the autism charity idea. As previously mentioned, everyone probably knows someone with some degree of autism, myself included. This is definitely a great cause that should have no problem raising $$$.

Raen

2011-05-15 06:49:45 pm

I may as well throw my support behind an autism charity. Sounds like a great idea!

mikwuyma

2011-05-19 03:37:28 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Okay, I've done some research on a couple of the charities.

I don't think we should go with Autism Research Institute because they're pretty anti-vaccine, and the diet section looked weird to me.

http://www.autism.com/faq_triggers_of_autism.asp
http://www.autism.com/faq_diets.asp

I haven't really looked at Autism Speaks much, but they're also mentioned on American Institute of Philanthropy guide as a B-, so they're probably not the best candidate for our donations.

So far the Organization for Autism Research looks good. If no one has any objections, I'll try contacting them soon.

Sir VG

2011-05-19 03:57:15 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Sounds good, Mike. Group looks pretty sound from what I see, so I say unless somebody finds something major wrong, I say go for OAR.

Essentia

2011-05-19 05:08:36 pm

Everything's better with Magitek

The Organization for Autism Research sounds good to me. That'd be great if you could try to contact them, Mike.

mikwuyma

Edit history:

mikwuyma: 2011-05-23 01:41:59 pm

2011-05-23 01:41:04 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Okay, I just contacted the Organization for Autism Research today. They were easy to contact, and they sounded very willing to support this marathon and they're going to send me information via email soon, so it looks like we have our charity.

EDIT: I swear this is the first time my random avatar gallery was wrong, I guess it's having an off day.

Terribleno

2011-05-23 01:45:57 pm

It apparently must like like the charity you chose. Shocked

theseawolf1

2011-05-31 05:42:42 pm

SGL Scrublord

Its getting closer, shall we start to work out the finer details? What do we need to organize as runners and guests to make life easier on our generous hosts?

mikwuyma

2011-06-01 01:34:54 am

My feelings on The Demon Rush

theseaswolf1: Check out this topic: http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/summer_marathon_scheduling.html

I know we still need to figure out prizes and such, but for now scheduling is the number 1 concern.

We also need to come up with a name for this event. I have no problem using the "Done Quick" moniker, but what should it be?

Mecha Richter

Edit history:

Mecha Richter: 2011-06-01 01:41:08 am

2011-06-01 01:39:37 am

Haters gonna hate

Cool Games Done Quick?

Since, you know, this marathon is taking place during the summertime...

EDIT: hahaha my avatar for this post...I don't think Chad Ghostal is amused.

Sir VG

2011-06-01 02:21:58 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Quote from Mecha Richter:

Cool Games Done Quick?

Since, you know, this marathon is taking place during the summertime...

EDIT: hahaha my avatar for this post...I don't think Chad Ghostal is amused.

I think maybe the opposite since it's summer: Hot Games Done Quick. Tongue