Denim Diamonds and Stars For Kids With Autism

Denim, diamonds and stars for kids with autism

Westlake Village, 23 October 2016 – The stars shined like diamonds on the red carpet on Sunday night at the Denim, Diamonds and Stars Fundraiser, and  Jackie the French Reporter caught up with some of the glittering guests. However, before Jackie got too far down the carpet, Tasha Williams hijacked the mic and decided to interview Jackie! (We know, we know, it’s the accent. It gets everyone.)

Tasha’s moment of fun highlighted the precise need for an organization like ACT TODAY (Autism Care and Treatment Today!), an organization whose mission it is to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorder as well as provide treatment, services and support to families to help their children with autism achieve their full potential.

A child diagnosed on the autism spectrum does not need to be condemned to a lifetime of ostracism and unfulfilled dreams. The proper early medical, psychological and behavioural intervention can greatly increase the quality of life for all children on the ASD spectrum (Autism spectrum disorder). It is however a sad reality that not all families are in the position to afford these interventions, and that’s where Denim, Diamonds and Stars steps in as a fundraising event, to benefit underserved children with autism.

Shane Harper brought the point home, sharing with us: “My brother, actually, was diagnosed with autism when he was two years old so this just makes a lot of sense for me to be here and support. We put my brother, right away, into speech therapy and occupational therapy; vision therapy. And a lot of people are underprivileged and can’t afford that and they need to so that’s why an event like tonight is very important; raising money and raising awareness.”

As every celebrity who walked the carpet attested, Nancy Alspaugh (-Jackson) is the true deal who gives an incredible amount back to her community. Nancy, whose own son is on the autism spectrum, started the Denim, Diamonds and Stars Fundraiser after she saw the urgent need for families to have somewhere to turn to for advice and assistance when dealing with this disorder and realising that some families just don’t have the money to access the necessary treatment and care.

As Nancy said of the evening “Autism is a national crises, it shows no signs of letting up. One in 168 children and one in 42 boys have autism spectrum disorders, including my own son. The reality is that we have hard, hard work to do. So I want everybody to enjoy themselves but to give of themselves and to make dreams possible for these families.”

You can reach ACT TODAY from their website (www.act-today.org) if you need their help or resources, or if you (please, please do) feel like making a donation to this critically important cause.

Follow Jackie, the French Reporter on Twitter @ twitter.com/French_Reporter for more important topics, interesting events and movie reviews or visit The Watson Headquarters at www.watsonheadquarters.com

Written by: Miquette Caalsen