A guest post by Joe Mohs of CARD

From time to time at the directory both Kim and myself have been asked to promote websites, services, etc.  We are about community. We are not about selling products or directly advertising. There are times when we are willing to have a guest post in order to just pass on information for those who might be interested. This is not meant as an endorsement . We prefer to look at it as if we are acting as a conduit.-Kathleen and Kim



Recovery at its Best: About the Center for Autism & Related Disorders, Inc. by Joe Mohs

No one could have predicted how devastating the increase of autism found in young children would become. Once considered a rare psychological disorder twenty years ago, affecting one in every 2,000 children under the age of five, this ratio has risen at a frightening pace, now standing at roughly one in 100 in the United States alone. Autism Spectrum Disorder has become nothing short of a worldwide epidemic.

But during these last twenty years, one organization, the Center for Autism & Related Disorders (CARD), has challenged, and triumphed over, on many occasions, this intimidating statistic since its founding. Starting as a small office clinic in Los Angeles and transforming into the largest and most dedicated provider of autism treatment has been only one of its many accomplishments. CARD has also proven itself, time and time again, as a positive role model amongst the entire field of psychology, refuting the once-popular belief that even the community’s leading authorities thought as fact; that autism is a life-long disorder and untreatable. Just recently, the results of a three-year study done at a CARD office based in Phoenix, backed by the Arizona Legislature, revealed further evidence supporting the possibility of recovery.

Inspired by working with children diagnosed in the autism spectrum, CARD founder and Executive Director Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh studied autism treatment under the supervision of the late Dr. Ivar Lovaas, pioneer of the highly effective behavioral approach, Applied Behavior Analysis, which demonstrated a near 50% rate in autism recovery as written in his world-renowned study released in 1987. Dr. Granpeesheh was highly motivated by the profound outcome that came through autism recovery as she witnessed through a number her young clients. Upon receiving her PhD in 1990, Dr. Granpeesheh found the necessity to establish an organization that would provide only the highest quality of treatment to children and families affected by ASD.

CARD is well known for offering multiple treatment programs not only to affected young children, but also to young adults. The CARD I program provides comprehensive curricula to children between the ages of 0 and 8 that are individualized to fit the needs of each child. The CARD II program provides exceptional quality services to older children and young adults from ages 9 to 21. In addition, Specialized Outpatient Services (SOS), assessment, and off-site parent/therapist training and workshop services are just a few of the many treatment options available from CARD.

With nineteen offices spanning across the continental U.S. and two international locations, CARD currently has the privilege of treating over 1,000 clients with a working staff of over 700. Celebrating its 20^th Anniversary last year by spreading autism awareness through fundraising events held across its office locations, the world’s most influential autism treatment provider has deserved every ounce of its success. The remarkable results demonstrated from its clients after are solid proof of that. Children who could not respond to their parents or participate with their peers have been given the precious gift of a potentially successful and happy life.

Joe Mohs is a determined and creative individual whose life can be defined as a success story. Having recovered from severe autism at the age of four, Joe shares a special history with the famed Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, in which she personally treated Joe using ABA treatment at the UCLA where Joe recovered. Now, at 26, Joe holds a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Minnesota Duluth and is the founder and co-owner of Living Proof, an inspirational web organization dedicated to addressing that recovery from autism is possible, as well as any personal or family crisis. Joe has spoken publicly about his life before and after autism at a number of venues across his home state, Minnesota, and reunited with Dr. Granpeesheh in the summer of 2009 to catch up and receive advice about his future goals. Joe is currently writing a biographical book and adapting to his new home in sunny Tarzana, California, where Joe works as a Project Coordinator at an influential, nationwide ABA provider. His passions include music, art, history, film and video games.