SUNY Downstate to Highlight Autism Services in Brooklyn at Health Fair, September 25
Sep 20, 2011
One in a hundred and ten children are on the spectrum of autism disorders, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To acquaint parents of autistic children with the services available to them in Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is holding an Autism Health Fair Sunday, Sep. 25, from 1 to 5 pm, at 395 Lenox Road, in the East Flatbush section of the borough. The fair is themed, “Helping Families with a Piece of the Puzzle.”
“Brooklyn does have services for parents of children on the autism spectrum, but often they're not easy to connect with,” said Harris Huberman, MD, director of the Division of Child Development in the Department of Pediatrics at Downstate. “SUNY Downstate evaluates children for autism, and has many key services on campus, but it is very important that we link together with other quality sites to help families find the right programs for their children. The Autism Health Fair is our effort to let people know what services are available in Brooklyn and to build a network."
Parents, other family members, friends, and anyone who is interested in learning more about autism spectrum disorders are welcome to attend. The event will provide information, support, and networking opportunities, while children and their families enjoy games, music, and food. Many local organizations and businesses are contributing time and resources to the health fair.
For more information about autism services available at SUNY Downstate, call 718-270-2598.
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About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (SUNY) 64-campus system and the only SUNY AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough’s 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate’s exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.