For the 2008-09 capitular year, then-incoming MEGHP Richard E. Yena, a career special education school teacher and administrator, selected autism treatment and research to be the beneficiary of our institutional benevolence. His successors, Joseph H. Santisteban and Charles R. Horwitz, reaffirmed our commitment to autism research and treatment for 2009-10 and 2010-2011. Chicago is fortunate to be in the forefront of both, and two facilities are receiving financial support from the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois.  Both are discussed in detail below.

Autism and autism spectrum disorders (“ASDs”) are bio-neurological developmental disabilities adversely impacting the development of the brain. Individuals with autism or ASDs typically have diminished cognition, verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction, and hampered leisure or play; additionally, they often suffer from numerous physical ailments which may include allergies, asthma, epilepsy, mental retardation, digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, sensory integration dysfunction, inter alia. Collectively, autism and ASDs are estimated to occur in approximately 7.5 per 1,000 Americans; males have been believed to be several times more likely than girls to be inflicted, but recent studies suggest that the condition is equally common with girls, and that milder symptoms tend to be better camouflaged in girls. Irrespective of the current gender balance debate, frequency is unaffected by race, gross geography, or socio-economic status. Currently, there is no cure for autism or ASDs, but symptoms can be significantly improved with early intervention and treatment.

Tax-deductible donations may be made payable to "Royal Arch Masons Charitable Foundation, Inc.", and posted in the mails to:

RAMCF INC
C/O RICHARD E YENA MEPGHP
837 FOREST RD
LAGRANGE IL  60526-1611

In 2011, the M.E. Grand High Priest Dale Cyrier introduced a pin with which to recognise contributions of US$15 or greater. Procedes of the pin donations will be distributed to Advocate Illinois Masonic's autism programme, Easter Seals Chicago's autism centre & school, and Royal Arch Research Assistance's contribution to Autism Speaks.

The Illinois Masonic Autism Programme

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Centre’s programme for children with autism stresses early diagnosis, intensive treatment, and support for parents and caregivers. Utilising that approach, children with autism face a better prognosis than ever before.

Diagnostic Services: Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning are the first steps to good outcomes for children with autism. AIMMC’s specially trained, multidisciplinary team use diagnostic procedures that provide the most reliable and valid assessment of the child with suspected autism. Evaluations are available for children from early childhood through the teen years and include the following:

• Specialised test battery administered by trained psychologists

• Medical evaluation from developmental paediatricians

• Consultation from speech and occupational therapists, and

• Comprehensive integrated report, including diagnosis, treatment recommendations and review with the family of available treatment options.

Treatment Programme: AIMMC have developed a unique and highly successful treatment model that focuses on helping parents learn to interact successfully with their child with autism. The centre offers extensive parent training; provides therapy for the child in a variety of settings including the home and centre; collaborates with the child’s special education programme; and adapts services to meet the unique needs of each child and his or her family.

Autism treatment at AIMMC is based on an integration of approaches that have shown clinical efficacy in the research literature, including structured teaching approaches as well as principles of applied behavioural analysis. Therapists are highly trained and clinical work is carefully evaluated. Outcome data for children who have completed the programme components show significant developmental gains in key areas of functioning.

Click here to learn more, and click here to donate directly.

Easter Seals’ Therapeutic School & Centre for Autism Research

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago (ESMC) is building a new US$32,000,000 Therapeutic School and Centre for Autism Research in the Illinois Medical District (IMD) that will help meet the needs created by the explosive growth in autism diagnosis.

This unique facility is the only one of its kind to combine on a single campus educational, research, training, early intervention, school-to-work transition and independent living capabilities. Nowhere else in the country will this continuum of services for children with autism be so well integrated at a single-campus facility.

The new centre will allow Easter Seals to expand its landmark autism programme with this custom-designed facility to meet the special needs of students with autism, emotional behaviour disorders and severe learning disabilities. Interior plans and features from special acoustic finishes and lighting fixtures in the therapy and gross motor skills rooms will help reduce distractions and promote more effective learning.

Phase I of the project opened to students in July 2008. The new, state-of-the-art, 8,100 m² (87,000 sq. ft.) Therapeutic School and Centre for Autism Research incorporates a therapeutic school, specially-designed research capabilities, administrative offices, as well as independent living facilities in Phase IV of the project.

Click here for more information or to donate.