World-Renowned Autism Expert to Speak in Portland and Eugene
To: FAMILY EDITORS
Contact: Mike Higgins, +1-503-594-1050, or +1-503-970-3766 – Cell, for Buena Vista Custom Homes
PORTLAND, Ore., June 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — World- renowned autism specialist and dynamic speaker Raun Kaufman, who recovered from autism at an early age himself, will speak in Eugene on June 14, and Portland on June 16 and June 20.
The free lectures will be held at the Hilton Eugene and Conference Center Thursday, June 14 from 7-9:30PM, the Oregon Convention Center on Saturday, June 16 from 9-11:30AM and at the Rose Garden on Wednesday, June 20 from 7-9:30PM.
The lecture is sponsored by Roger Pollock, owner of Oregon’s largest homebuilding company, Buena Vista Custom Homes.
The lecture features Kaufman’s unique story of his own full and complete recovery from autism, as well as ground-breaking techniques and ideas from the prestigious Son-Rise program created by his parents to treat him.
In addition to sponsoring Kaufman’s lecture events, Pollock has also agreed to underwrite 100 full scholarships in the Son-Rise Program for Oregon residents in need of treatment for autism. Pollock was personally inspired to do this as his youngest child is autistic.
Kaufman’s Story Inspiring
At 18 months, Kaufman was diagnosed with severe irreversible autism and never expected to recover. Instead of institutionalizing their son as recommended, Barry and Samahria Kaufman created an “innovated home-based, child-centered program” in order to reach their son. This program became what is known today as the Son-Rise Program. Raun Kaufman made a full recovery, transforming from a mute and withdrawn child with an IQ less than 30 to an outgoing social child with a near-genius IQ. As an adult he then went on to receive a Biomedical Ethics degree from Brown University, and is now CEO, writer, and teacher at the Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America, teaching the very techniques and tools responsible for his own recovery.
Along with lecture tours in the U.S., United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway, Raun Kaufman has appeared in publications such as People Magazine and the London Telegraph, on television programs such as FOX Magazine (FOX News Channel) and BBC’s Breakfast News, and numerous radio stations including NPR. Seen by over 300 million people worldwide, a NBC-TV movie, Son- Rise: A Miracle of Love, was based on his story.
“It is always a treat to hear such a dynamic and engaging speaker. Raun’s passion and hope for persons challenged with autism came through in every word he spoke. His ideas truly are focused on helping people achieve their highest potential.” Mark H. Yeager, Ph.D., President, TEAAM (Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi).
Oregon Autism Rates Among Nation’s Highest
Oregon has one of the highest rates of autism in the country; 1 out of every 250 young people age 6 to 21 has autism, assessed according to federal statistics. A child is 3 times more likely to be autistic in Oregon than in Kentucky, Arkansas and Louisiana.
About the Oregon Lectures: ‘Autism: Recovery Is An Option Now’ presented by autism treatment specialist Raun K. Kaufman on Thursday, June 14 from 7-9:30PM at the Hilton Eugene and Conference center, Saturday, June 16 from 9-11:30AM at the Oregon Convention Center, and on Wednesday, June 20 from 7-9:30PM at the Rose Garden. Admission is free with online registration at http:// www.autismhelp.com/oregonor by calling 1-(800) 714-2779. Attendees will receive information kits on autism and the Son-Rise Program along with details about full scholarship opportunities for NW area residents made possible by the Roger & Gayle Pollock Scholarship Fund.
About the Son-Rise Program: Created by authors/teachers Barry (“Bears”) Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, the Son-Rise Program is a highly effective educational treatment modality which includes joining children in healing and growth instead of going against them. The program places parents as key teachers, therapists and directors of their own programs and utilizes the home as the most nurturing environment in which to help their children. The Son- Rise Program has been featured in over 2,000 articles and programs appearing in major media worldwide including Good Morning America, the BBC (British Broadcasting Company), The Daily Telegraph, Parenting Magazine, Mothering Magazine, Family Circle, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.
About Roger Pollock: Founder and owner of Buena Vista Custom Homes, Roger Pollock has been a major contributor to the Oregon homebuilding industry for over 20 years. Pollock is an active member of his community and continues his outreach through his Profit Partners Program. For more information go to http:// www.rogerpollock.com.
SOURCE Buena Vista Custom Homes
(c) 2007 U.S. Newswire. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.