December 1, 2005 (New York, New York) On Tuesday, November 29, 2005, the NYU Child Study Center hosted its eighth annual award dinner at Cipriani 42nd Street, raising $4 million to support the programs and initiatives of the Center. Chaired by Lori and George Hall, this year's dinner highlighted the Center's vision for changing the existing child mental health paradigm by developing more effective and efficient ways to prevent, identify and treat mental illness. The dinner honored Autism Speaks Co-Founders, Suzanne and Bob Wright. Bob Wright is vice chairman and executive officer of General Electric and chairman and chief executive officer of NBC Universal. "Andrew's Story" a film of a 15-year-old boy with Autism produced exclusively for the Child Study Center by Nathaniel Kahn, Oscar-nominated director of My Architect, was screened. The table centerpieces were designed and donated by artist Richard Tuttle, furthering his vision of art crossing over into life.

"Science is our only answer for determining what causes Autism and for developing more effective treatments and preventions for this devastating illness," said Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, founder and director of the NYU Child Study Center. "We honor Suzanne and Bob Wright for taking the personal tragedy of their grandson's diagnosis of Autism and giving voice to those who can't speak."

Because of medical research, a substantial portion of children with Autism are now much more able to engage and relate to others and to their world. Some do move into productive lives in rewarding ways, but they still struggle. Fortunately, the range of potential outcomes is much broader than was true in the past. But for the majority of these children their lives are limited socially, professionally and intellectually.

Guests at this year's dinner included Al Roker; Matt Lauer; Ann Curry; Stone Phillips; Campbell Brown; Diane Neal; B.D. Wong; Dylan Baker; Nathaniel Kahn, Oscar-nominated directo
'"/>

Contact: Danielle Grillo
danielle.grillo@med.nyu.edu
212-263-2479
New York University Child Study Center
1-Dec-2005

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Childhood obesity indicates greater risk of school absenteeism, Penn study reveals
2. Support for Childrens Health and Medicare Protection Act given to House leaders by ACP
3. Childhood sun exposure may lower risk of MS
4. Children and young people show elevated leukaemia rates near nuclear facilities
5. Childrens brain responses predict impact of sleep loss on attention
6. Children with sleep disorder symptoms are more likely to have trouble academically
7. USC and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles both receive grants for stem cell facilities
8. Children with both autism and ADHD often bully, parents say
9. Childrens Hospital and Pitt lead national trial of hypothermia to treat pediatric brain injury
10. Childhood obesity intervention shows promising results
11. A frown or a smile? Children with autism cant discern