Autism

Weightlifters put their muscles on the line all the time, but Nick Delgado doesn’t see his attempt next week to set a world lifting record as just about his own body. For 52-year-old Delgado, it’s a vindication of his whole line of work — as president of Ultimate Medical Research, he offers consultations and supplements that promise to turn the clock on aging bodies just as he says he’s done for himself. But the event gets personal as well; his every lift will raise money for research for autism, which affects one of his four sons.

COSTA MESA — Talk About Curing Autism has hired a new chief executive with more than 20 years of nonprofit experience. The Costa Mesa-based nonprofit hired Janine Ingram to replace founder Lisa Ackerman to oversee its national fundraising operation and strategic planning programs. Ackerman, who started the organization in 2000, will stay one with Talk About Curing Autism, a national organization charged with supporting, educating and providing resources to families affected by autism.

On Nov. 8, there will  be a community educational seminar on "Understanding the Impact of Autism On Children and Their Families" with Dr. Robin Goldberg. Sue Rubin, a young autistic woman, will share her journey of  living with autism, followed by a panel of experts, including a child analyst, a speech teacher and a physical education teacher, and Sue's mom, will discuss how to cope with autism. A Q-and-A will follow.

Paul Saitowitz For those about to rock, we salute you. And for those about to rock for autism, we applaud you. Metal heads with flowing locks clad in leather pants, Viking-like boots and various metal chains and studs from around the county will gather at Hogue Barmichael's in Newport Beach this Saturday for Metal Jam 2004, a benefit concert for the Cure Autism Now Foundation -- an organization of parents, clinicians...

Talk About Curing Autism, which is based in Irvine, is having its sixth annual Ante Up for Autism event, a casino-type fundraiser for the organization at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point Saturday at 5 p.m. It is a star-studded event featuring celebrities, pro poker players and athletes. Johnathon Schaech, who played the lead singer of The Wonders in the movie "That Thing You do," is a host along with Kate Voegele, who played Mia in the TV show, "One Tree Hill," and is also a singer-songwriter.

The Assistance League of Newport-Mesa is partnering with the Center for Autism and Related Disorders to present a free, communitywide educational event on autism and related developmental disabilities featuring renowned autism expert Jeff Bradstreet from 6 to 8:30 tonight at the Assistance League’s facilities at 2220 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. The event is geared toward parents of children with developmental disabilities, as well as caregivers, educators and practitioners.

BONNIE Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008.  Community educational seminar on "UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF AUTISM ON CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES" with Dr. Robin Goldberg explaining "WHAT IS AUTISM" and Sue Rubin, a young autistic woman, who shares her journey of  "LIVING WITH AUTISM," followed by A PANEL OF EXPERTS, including a Child Analyst- Faith Based, a Speech and a PE Teacher, and Sue's mom, discussing "HOW TO COPE AND CONTINUE ON" plus Q & A.   (8:30a.m.-9:00a.m....

Michael Miller A Newport Beach businessman has given $8.5 million to the University of Missouri-Columbia to fund a center for autism research. William Thompson, chief executive officer of the fixed-income investment-management firm PIMCO, donated the money to fund the Thompson Family Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Thompson earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri in 1968. "The center being created with this gift will bring together qualified professionals in the field to bring about differences in the study of and treatment of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders," Thompson said.

As the grandfather of an autistic boy, I was happy to see that the Daily Pilot is covering the topic of autism ("Waiting for her voice," April 20). However, there were a few facts that were not mentioned or that I did not agree with. First, autism is a serious epidemic in the state of California. The diagnosis rate has grown 273% in the last 10 years. I know of no other developmental disability that has that type of staggering statistic. Autism doe not get the type of publicity that other disabilities get, nor are people aware of the tireless efforts of the many hard working parents.

Chronic Cantina is asking people to come out for a good cause Sunday. The bar is hosting an event at Triangle Square with music, activities, auctions and a fashion show to raise funds for families dealing with autism. The bar has about $50,000 worth of goods it will be auctioning off and giving away at raffle drawings that will benefit Orange County Spectrum Kids, a nonprofit organization that works with families dealing with autism. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a fashion show at 2 p.m., an all-day DJ and a circus theme.

UC Irvine will use $14.8 million in public-private funding to open an autism research and treatment center, the university announced Thursday. The Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders of Southern California will eventually offer a complete range of diagnostic and treatment services for those on the autism spectrum from birth to 22 years old, according to a news release. The center will build on the mission of UCI's OC Kids, which has provided support and educational programs for children and families coping with developmental disorders since it opened in 2001.

Dave & Buster's in Irvine raised more than $50,000 for families touched by autism at a two-day charity event. Dave & Buster's inaugural Charity Dinner & Golf Classic last week raised money for Talk About Curing Autism, or TACA, a national organization that provides education, support and resources to more than 31,000 families effected by autism. The charity dinner at Dave & Buster's on Sunday featured a raffle, unlimited video game play, food and a live and silent auction. The dinner was followed by the golf classic at the Aliso Viejo Country Club with a number of special guests including: David Scott Lago, of "The Young and the Restless;" actress Cindy Vela; actor Dan "Nitro" Clark, of "American Gladiators"; and former NFL players Chris McAlister, Tre McLeod, Anthony Miller and Andre Reed.

Former NFL stars Andre Reed, Chris McCalister and Anthony Miller are among a handful of celebrity guests who are helping to lead the inaugural Dave & Buster's Charity Golf Classic to benefit Talk About Curing Autism. The event also features a charity dinner Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Dave & Buster's in Irvine. The dinner is $50 and includes a $15 game card along with five raffle tickets and unlimited video play that night. The Golf Classic is on Monday, with registration at 9 a.m. and tee time at 11 a.m. at Aliso Viejo Country Club.

More than 8,500 people raised $255,000 for autism research, awareness and family service last weekend at the Orange County Walk Now for Autism Speaks. The eighth annual event at the Orange County Great Park's El Toro Field attracted volunteers and family members of people with autism. Celebrity guests included Phillip Palmer, ABC7 news anchor and the event's master of ceremonies, and actress Tisha Campbell-Martin from the television show "Martin," according to a news release.

Talk About Curing Autism, which is based in Irvine, is having its sixth annual Ante Up for Autism event, a casino-type fundraiser for the organization at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point Saturday at 5 p.m. It is a star-studded event featuring celebrities, pro poker players and athletes. Johnathon Schaech, who played the lead singer of The Wonders in the movie "That Thing You do," is a host along with Kate Voegele, who played Mia in the TV show, "One Tree Hill," and is also a singer-songwriter.

SUNDAY Concours De Nice Cobra Owners Club of America Orange County will host its 38th annual Concours De Nice from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Park Mall at South Coast Plaza, 3300 Bristol St. The Concours this year will celebrate Carroll Shelby and 50 years of the Cobra, with more than 75 original Shelby Cobras and Shelby Mustangs along with significant Shelby Race Cars. The grand marshal will be World Champion Cobra driver Bob Bondurant, one of the original drivers for Shelby.

Paige Hall danced around the room with a smile on her face as Kristen Risser played off her movements, drawn to her like a magnet. Risser danced as if shouldering the weight of the world, ready to protect and comfort Hall at every move. Corona del Mar High School dance team director Cami Marseilles, 37, choked up as her students danced her story. "It's a piece about my journey as a mother with a son on the autism spectrum," she said, a mother of two boys, who while not autistic have autistic-like symptoms.

IRVINE - Considering the fact the payments went toward a charity for children, everyone appeared to have received their money's worth in the inaugural Harmony and Hoops Charity Basketball Game at UC Irvine's Bren Events Center on Saturday. An 88-87 win in double-overtime by the Hoops team, which trailed by 19 points with 15:41 left, was icing on the cake. The only non-celebrity player, Kris Gallop of Cal State Monterey Bay, hit one free throw to break a tie with four seconds left to win it. Gallop scored a team-high 25 points.

The Kids Institute for Development and Advancement will present the latest developments in the research on autism in a comprehensible, "parent-oriented" format at the third annual Summit on Autism, the center's founder said Friday. Designed to be a "community service" to educate parents, family members and friends of those with autism, the two-panel summit will focus on two parts: autism and its impact on the family and technology's impact on the syndrome, said Fariborz Maseeh, founder of the Irvine center for autism research, treatment and education.