Autism Support Network and Aid for Autistic Children Foundation, Inc. Create Alliance to Help Families Affected by Autism

FAIRFIELD, Conn. and MACON, Ga., April 21, 2009 — Autism Support Network (http://www.AutismSupportNetwork.com) and Aid for Autistic Children Foundation, Inc. (http://www.aacfinc.org) today announced a partnership to provide information, support and help reduce the financial burden experienced by families coping with autism so they can focus attention seeking the necessary assistance for their autistic loved ones. As part of the relationship, Autism Support Network will help promote the grassroots efforts of AACF, Inc. to its thousands of members worldwide.

Aid for Autistic Children Foundation, Inc. was founded by musician/songwriter, performer and platinum-record producer Michael Buckholtz, who is a diagnosed Asperger with OCD. He and his family experienced the financial disaster of coping with autism. Michael Buckholtz's desire to ensure that families coping with autism get a level playing field financially comes largely as a result of seeing his own family struggle to make ends meet. He knew that other families were experiencing the same thing and spearheaded the creation of AACF, Inc.

"Michael and the AACF, Inc. are embarking on an effort that is truly needed today," said Brian Field, co-founder of the Autism Support Network. "While there are organizations focusing on new therapies, treatments, and on early-childhood intervention, families who are uninsured or underinsured often find themselves in financial distress as they try to provide the best for their children with autism. It can be ruinous to the stability of the family. We are proud to support the philanthropic thrust of AACF, Inc. and Michael's passion behind it."

"I was struggling to find a voice through the usual online social networks when Brian came across AACF, Inc. and introduced me to the Autism Support Network," said AACF, Inc. founder Michael Buckholtz. "As someone coping with autism every day, I now feel I have a comfortable place to discuss and share my grassroots humanitarian mission tailor-made for assisting families coping with autism. For me, Autism Support Network is the MySpace for the Autism Community."