A Message From Our Chairman

The McCarton Foundation for Developmental Disabilities began as a vision. Dr. Cece McCarton, her staff, and the parents of those children Cece had diagnosed were frustrated by the lack of appropriate education for children diagnosed with autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). There were few schools for this growing population and even fewer that incorporated tested interventions and opportunities for children's participation in the community. Cece knew that more could be done to serve these children. In January 2002, she took action, not knowing what type of support she would attract for her efforts.

The response was nothing short of heroic. Family members and others affected by autism, people in the business community, the entertainment industry, and others came forward to support the start of the McCarton Foundation. In only a few months, the Foundation was able to raise enough money to fund the opening of the McCarton School. The build-out of the McCarton School’s classrooms was completed in record time, enabling the school to open its doors in September 2002.

The McCarton Foundation has built steadily on this early success. Through the efforts of the Foundation’s board of directors and many tireless volunteers and supporters, it now distributes full funding to all its projects in support of its vision.

This has enabled the Foundation to invest in the growth of the McCarton School, provide scholarships for its students, and do more of what is needed for children and families living with autism – especially training more therapists and teachers through its Training Institute and conducting research into best practices through the McCarton Center for Research. Through these efforts, the Foundation contributes to finding solutions to the educational needs of the escalating number of children diagnosed with autism and ASD.

We owe a great debt of thanks to the many families and philanthropic partners who are committed to the Foundation’s mission. All are part of its success story.

The McCarton Foundation has moved past the challenges it experienced as a fledgling organization and is now poised for its next phase of growth. The autism crisis has not abated, and we must step up to support the many children who cannot advocate for themselves. To those who are prepared to continue this journey with us, we thank you. To those who are new to the struggle, we invite you to join us. Together, we will put resources into the hands of those who are on the front lines of this struggle for our children.

 

Sigurd H. Ackerman, M.D.

Chairman of the Board of Directors