AUTISM: THE HIDDEN EPIDEMIC?

Programming Guide 2/19-2/26/05

Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20

NBC’s Owned & Operated Stations:7-8pm

• The 14 NBC stations of the NBC Universal Television Stations group will focus on the rising autism epidemic in a one-hour special.  (Viewers should check their local program listings for individual airdates). Produced by KNBC in Los Angeles and hosted by anchor Michele Ruiz, the program will help educate viewers about the disorder and provide important information on possible causes, warning signs, treatments and therapies. The show also examines the enormous impact autism has on the entire family and documents one family's personal struggles, frustrations and triumphs as they care for their autistic son.

• What is Autism: Detection and the Importance of Early Detection
• What Causes Autism

• Dr. Pat Levitt, Director of The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research; discusses development to discuss advances and treatment of autism

• Robert Bazell reports on the reasons why autism has gone from a disorder no one knew of a few decades ago to an exploding emergency affecting 1.7 million Americans and their families

• The Autism Diagnosis and How to Set Up a Treatment Team
• The Michael Marino Story: When Early Intervention Works

• Lee Grossman, President & CEO of Autism Society of America; has a 17-year-old autistic son and shares his personal crusade in raising awareness and funding for autism.

• The Autism Double Whammy: Paying the Emotional and Financial Price

• Robert Bazell revisits a California family who responded to their son's diagnosis by taking on the scientific establishment to make autism research a national priority

• Educational Programs for Treating Children with Autism
• How Autism Affects the Family and Siblings

• Gloria and Patrick Fay, parents of twin 7-year-old autistic boys; they share their personal story of living with autism

• Research and Funding

• Robert Bazell reports on research at Yale University that reveals the inner workings of the minds of people with autism by watching where their eyes focus while watching human interactions in movies and videos

• Autism Coalition board member, Gary Mayerson, discusses How to be an Advocate for Your Child if they have Autism
• Knowing the Law in your Community, and Getting it to Work for You

• Actor Anthony Edwards, honorary board member of Cure Autism Now

• Serving the Growing Population of Autistic Children

• Vernon Smith, 2002 Nobel Laureate in Economics, discusses his personal challenges with Aspergers syndrome

• Bob and Suzanne Wright Announce their Public Awareness Campaign
• Adults with Autism

• NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright

• Vocational Training for Autistic Teenagers

• NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright Announces New Public Awareness Campaign

• Telemundo: (7pm-8pm) "Autismo: Epidemia Silenciosa?": The show will provide viewers with important information on the disorder and explain how families can seek treatment for their autistic children.  KVEA anchor Lucia Navarro will serve as host of the program, which will also explore how the Hispanic community deals with autism and the social stigma that is often associated with mental illness.