Recent estimates reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) suggest one in every 88 people in the United States is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, making this a very real issue that many families face. Bay County families are no different. As a local non-profit, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy provider, the FSU Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP), is doing its part to make a difference.

During the National Autism Awareness month of April, ECAP is seeking to raise funds to assist local families in need of financial assistance for ABA services, which are considered medically necessary for children with autism.

ECAP, in conjunction with the Emerald Coast Association for Behavior Analysis, will host the 5th Annual Auction for Autism Awareness from 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015, in the Holley Academic Center Lecture Hall at FSU Panama City. Admission to the family-friendly auction is $25 at the door, which includes food, refreshments and raffle tickets for the auction.

All proceeds benefit FSU ECAP’s Butchikas Scholarship Program, which provides funding to families in need of ABA services who do not have insurance or financial means to afford therapy. 

“We are thrilled to celebrate our fifth year of holding this event,” said Amy Polick, Ph.D., ECAP Director and psychology faculty at FSU Panama City. “Our local community is incredibly giving, and each year we are more and more impressed with the support we receive in helping our local children.”

Since 2011, the autism auction has raised $18,000 for the ECAP Butchikas Scholarship Program, which is the only funding program of its kind in the Florida panhandle. This year’s goal is to raise $10,000 for the scholarship.

The auction will also include information about autism services in Bay County and surrounding areas.

For more information about the event, contact Polick at apolick@pc.fsu.edu or (850) 770-2252. For more information about ECAP, visit ecap.pc.fsu.edu.