Our annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 26, 2012 at the Brant Valley Golf Club, 128 Governor's Road, St. George, ON. Registration can now be done online, please CLICK HERE to register and for more information.
Thank you for your support!!
CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT - HAMILTON WENTWORTH CHAPTER
MISSION: To improve the lives of people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) and their families in the Hamilton area.
The Hamilton Chapter of AO (Autism Ontario) is lead by committed and skilled volunteers who organize and support parent to parent contact. We pride ourselves on our mission to ensure that each individual with ASD is provided the means to achieve quality of life as a respected member of society.
The Charity Golf Tournament is organized and run by Wayne and Gabe Griffiths of Dundas, ON. After their grandson, Logan, was diagnosed with Autism, these amazing grandparents made it their mission to assist not only their grandson, but also their community through fundraising and awareness of Autism. Each year this tournament helps to raise almost $20,000 for services that are provided directly to children with Autism.
The annual Autism Ontario – Hamilton Golf Tournament raises more money for the chapter than any other event. Funds from the Golf Tournament go directly toward running the "Fun Days" social communication group at Building Blocks Speech Pathology. Thanks to the funding from the Golf Tournament, Fun Days are run 1 Saturday every month for 7 to 8 months, providing social opportunities for children with ASD and much needed respite care to families in the Hamilton area.
Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. Autism is the most common neurological disorder affecting children and one of the most common developmental disabilities affecting Canadians. ASDs change the way the brain processes information and can affect all aspects of a person's development. Classic autism usually appears during the first three years of life. Autism is four times more common in boys than girls.
People with ASD usually find it hard to communicate with others in a typical way and have difficulty understanding social conventions. As a result, individuals with autism may respond in unusual ways to everyday situations and changing environments.
Autism varies tremendously in severity. At its most severe, individuals with autism have symptoms of extremely repetitive and unusual behaviours which may include self-injury and aggression. Without appropriate intensive intervention, these symptoms may be very persistent and difficult to change. Living or working with a person with severe autism can be very challenging, requiring tremendous patience and understanding of the disorder. In its mildest form, however, autism is more like a personality difference due to difficulties in understanding social conventions. Early diagnosis and intervention with behavioural therapies can make a significant difference in the success of a child with ASD. The AO – Hamilton Chapter hosted an evening with three college students who have autism.
Your participation in the AO Hamilton Golf Tournament contributes toward the success of many people with ASD in the Hamilton area.
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