The Unicorn Children’s Foundation :The Unicorn Children’s Foundation Unlocking the Potential of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders


Imagine if you were… :A child who struggles with academics… A child who can not tolerate their surroundings… These challenges would impede your ability to live independently or engage in further education or employment… Imagine if you were… A child who has difficulty developing or sustaining relationships… A child who is unable to communicate his or her most basic needs and wants…


Neurodevelopmental Disorders are often referred to as:. :Neurodevelopmental Disorders are often referred to as:. Dyslexia General Learning Disorders Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Aspergers Bipolar Pervasive Developmental Disorders Autism Sensory Processing Disorders


Slide 4:While it is believed that these disorders have a neurological basis, there is no established cause or cure The number of children affected continues to increase at an alarming rate Today, nearly 1 of every 5 children is impacted by a neurodevelopmental disorder


Slide 5:Current data indicate that 82,661 children in South Florida Public Schools have an identified neurodevelopmental disorder Nationwide, more than 5 ½ million children in public schools have an identified neurodevelopmental disorder


These children could easily fill more than 4 Bank Atlantic Centers in Sunrise :These children could easily fill more than 4 Bank Atlantic Centers in Sunrise (capacity of 19,250)


A parent’s primary source of information? :A parent’s primary source of information? A recent survey of pediatric fellows revealed that 64% of pediatricians reported that they have insufficient time to conduct assessments of development during office visits Even more alarming, 65% of pediatricians reported inadequate training in conducting developmental assessments


When left untreated or unidentified, some children may end up in correctional facilities :When left untreated or unidentified, some children may end up in correctional facilities


Others may need to be placed in residential facilities. :Others may need to be placed in residential facilities.


EVERY child deserves a chance to reach his or her fullest potential! :EVERY child deserves a chance to reach his or her fullest potential! The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is Working Towards Such a Future


The Time is NOW! :The Time is NOW! Our efforts are directed at helping the children and families who are struggling with neurodevelopmental disorders on a daily basis. With appropriate and early intervention, these children can overcome many of the challenges they experience and the overall cost of intervention can be reduced by 2/3. We are creating change through our education, awareness, and research initiatives.


Education Initiatives :Education Initiatives Hosting conferences for parents & professionals to educate on evidence-based approaches Support parents with information, advice, and referrals to qualified health professionals at no charge Aide in shaping the educational curriculum of future leaders and teachers Funding the Endowed Chair in Communication and Learning Disorders at Nova Southeastern University, Mailman Segal Institute


Awareness Initiatives :Awareness Initiatives Publication of Informational Materials, Newsletters, and Website Conducting community outreach efforts to insure that parents and professionals know the early warning signs so that children can receive assistance as early as possible. Promote a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to intervention that is non-labeling Including our most recent funding of the first of its kind, state-of-the-art, mobile screening clinic in South Florida that will target lower SES demographic regions


Research Initiatives :Research Initiatives Fund programs seeking to identify earlier warning signs of these disorders Fund groundbreaking research programs seeking to identify effective treatments Such as our latest funding of a multi-year research program at York University in Toronto, Canada – the 1st head-to-head comparison of the two most prominent treatments for autism


Collaborative Initiatives… We can’t do this alone… :Collaborative Initiatives… We can’t do this alone… We are expanding these best practice ideas on a global level through collaboration with organizations around the world


You can make a difference… :You can make a difference… Demonstrate your commitment to our most vulnerable youth by helping us help the children. We need You!


You can help us create change… :You can help us create change… Show your commitment throughout the year by becoming one of our Children’s Champion Season Sponsors Sponsor an Unicorn Children’s Foundation event Become a member of the Unicorn Children’s Foundation Participate in one of our fundraising or educational events Make a financial donation Advocate on our behalf


Unlocking Potential… :Unlocking Potential… www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org The Unicorn Children’s Foundation Inspiring the Future… Reaching the World. Bringing research to practice


Slide 19:The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is a registered 501 (c)(3) with the Internal Revenue Service (#CH 17062). The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is a registered charity in Canada (#88539 0534 RR0001) Music: Kevin MacLeod www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org