LOS ANGELES, March 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Miracle Project, an autism and arts nonprofit, will be welcomed by the United Nations to present and perform during the celebration of World Autism Awareness Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on April 2, 2013.
Miracle Project participants affected by autism, including some of the stars of HBO's Emmy-winning documentary "AUTISM: The Musical," will perform some of their original songs during the lunch segment.
Panels will include Miracle Project Founder Elaine Hall along with her teenage son with autism, Neal Katz, who uses iPad technology to speak, and will celebrate the abilities within the disability, and the topic of transitioning to adulthood. Among the international panel presenters, United States representatives include panel presenters Barry M. Prizant Ph.D., Dr. Stephen Shore, Dr. Valerie Paradiz, and panel moderator Linda Walder Fiddle.
The full-day celebration and panels will feature perspectives from around the world, including autism leaders and parents from countries including Australia, Argentina, the Philippines, Pakistan and Somalia. The event is a collaboration with the United Nations Department of Public Information and the Mission of the Philippines, Autism Research Institute, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation and the Miracle Project. Linda Walder Fiddle, founder of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation, is sponsoring The Miracle Project.
It is through the UN panel that the Miracle Project is able to complete one of the core missions of the organization, promotion of understanding, acceptance, and awareness of those affected by autism. "Gatherings like this at The United Nations will help create bridges for the world to have a better understanding of autism, and we are thankful to the UN for providing us this opportunity," says Miracle Project Founder Elaine Hall.
ABOUT THE MIRACLE PROJECT: Founded in 2004, the Miracle Project is a multi-platform socialization program that enables children, teens and young adults with autism and other special needs to express themselves through music, dance, acting, story, and writing, based in Los Angeles but serving and inspiring families across the country. The Miracle Project assists all children of all abilities to grow in skill and in spirit while creating and performing in original musicals. This acclaimed arts program was documented in the HBO double Emmy award-winning documentary "Autism: The Musical." http://www.themiracleproject.org
ABOUT AUTISM: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, autism now affects 1 in 88 children in the United States. Autism is a complex condition that affects a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges.