
Ian Paregol, Executive Director of CSAAC, was interviewed
for a “Corporate Spotlight” article in the May, 2008 issue
of Health Executive magazine. The theme of
the article is the rising need for autism services, and what
CSAAC as a leader in the industry is doing to address that
need.
Click here to read the full article.
On Wednesday, April 16, Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC) located at 8615 East Village Avenue, held a building Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to commemorate the completion of its one-of-a-kind, world-class headquarters supporting children and adults with Autism. CSAAC is a community-based human service provider specializing in meeting the needs of individuals with autism. Montgomery County Executive, Ike Leggett and Director of the Maryland State Developmental Disabilities Administration, Michael Chapman, were on hand to cut the ribbon, along with Mrs. Jane Ford Salzano, CSAAC’s founder. Montgomery County elected officials, Senators Nancy King and Jennie Forehand, and Delegates Karen S. Montgomery, Ben Kramer, and Charles Barkley attended the event as well. Robert Hydorn, Montgomery Village Foundation, President and David Humpton, Executive Vice President of MVF were also in attendance. CSAAC’s Montgomery Village facility was first opened in 2004, enabling a portion of CSAAC’s staff to move out of their former offices at 751 Twinbrook Parkway. With the completion of the center, the remaining program staff will be relocating to East Viallge the over the next few months. The spacious multipurpose room inside the completed building will be available for training CSAAC staff, community members, para-professionals and professionals on issues associated with autism and will also be available for community use. Click here to view event photos.
On Monday, April 7th, the CSAAC basketball 2007-2008 team concluded its season with an awards banquet held at Community Support Services (CSS). The season began with its CSAAC leader, Tamekia, on the disabled list, but the team rallied in her absence and continued to improve each game. The banquet celebrateed the teams’ accomplishments and the individuals participating on the CSAAC teams received a trophy and certificate for their hard work and dedication. In addition, several players received special recognition: Most Valuable Players - Paul and Eddie; Best Defensive Player - Eddie and Reed; Most Assists & 3- Pointers - Paul; Most Rebounds - Hans; and Most Improved - Tim. Our head coach, Tavis received a trophy for his dedication to the team. The CSAAC basketball roster 2007 – 2008 season also included: Jason, Gary, Matthew, Brian, Xavier, Omer, Delmon, Matthew and Owen. Click here to view photographs.

Students from CSAAC’s Howard County Therapeutic Integration (After-school) program have been attending karate class at Cima Studios in Gaithersburg each Thursday since early October, 2007. Working predominantly with Instructors Javier and Frank, the students have benefited greatly from participating in these weekly classes. They have learned a great deal about martial arts, as well as practical social skills they can use each day – such as: patience, compliance, teamwork, and how to follow and carry out multi-step instructions. Most importantly, the students have been having fun and engaging socially with each other and authority figures besides those with whom they typically interact. They have also engaged in much needed exercise! Karate naturally addresses several domains in which students with autism often require assistance and motivation. Attending these classes has directly contributed to each student’s boost in confidence, which reaps rewards in and out of the classroom. It is truly an event they look forward to weekly and has resulted in much personal growth. Click here to view photographs.
Ian Paregol, Executive Director of CSAAC, was interviewed by J.C. Hayward on her program 9 News Now at Noon on Tuesday, April 2, 2008 which is the first annual World Autism Awareness Day. Click here to watch the video.
On Tuesday, April 1, CSAAC kicked off April as National Autism Awareness Month with an Art Show at Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge in Rockville. Artwork from children and adults with autism at CSAAC as well as by artists from O'Neill Studios was featured. Click here to view event photos.