Helping Autistic Persons Participate Independently through All Communication Techniques Inc. (aka HAPPI ACT Inc.)

Contact information:
 phone: 631-269-5330
  fax: 631-544-0013
e-mail: autism@happiact.org.
this website: happiact.org.

 

   "There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy."

                                                   ---Robert Louis Stevenson
 The logo at the top left of this page, a stock picture, was installed temporarily prior to our November 4 Happi Act "Entertainment and Awareness Concert Event" as an eye catching picture.  Its replacement is in progress.

We...Happi Act Inc...as a non-profit autism organization...
.are different
.say, "With autism, assume intelligence regardless of behavior."
.recognize that communication includes effective social interactions. Most people on the autism spectrum, even those who speak well, require assistance in that area.
.advocate for legal mandate for appropriate and adequate communication means for each ASD person of every age, in forms that they need,subject of course to their parent/guardians wishes, including assistance with alphabets boards and the like if required. ( Would a school for the physically challenged maintain a policy that nobody who needed crutches was welcome through their doors?!)
.favor anything safe and harmless with promise of helping our people to feel good. Certainly if one feels better, one can communicate better.
.are encouraged by recent research of the type coming out of Harvard Medical School recognizing the gut-brain connection in ASD. They go into the importance of diet. They say persons with autism seem to be more sensitive than most people, so more things bother them. We have known that for years. It is heartening to be receiving such sanctions from science.
.suggest the use of the word "different" re persons with autism in place of '"disabled" or "diseased"
.recognize that it doesn't take a hoard of people or Herculean effort to help change prevailing thinking and conditions. It simply takes a few visionary people with hope, clarity, enthusiasm, dedication and patience.
.are glad that our happiact. website has had over 9000 hits since January, with so many people world-wide reading our messages of positivism and hope re. autism. Not bad for a "little organization."
 
.We warmly welcome your participation in any capacity...nothing is too small or goes unappreciated.
 
Our Mission:  Autism takes many forms, from individuals who require constant supervision to those who live independently, drive cars, hold jobs, and are in committed relationships. That's why the term "on the spectrum" applies to autism.

Speaking and communicating (full definition:"interacting effectively with others")   are the most difficult challenges for persons with autism.  Even highly verbal persons on the high end of the autism spectrum may well benefit from assistance with interpersonal interactions.

We mean to raise awareness of the innate intelligence and abiltities of many persons with autism, and of their special positive qualities. We mean to promote all communication techniques, verbal, and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) methods - computers, letter boards and the like - and to help with social interaction - as needed by each individual at any point in time to help them to communicate adequately; to express themselves - their thoughts, feelings and ideas - effectively.  Thus to help them to reveal, and be appreciated for, their intelligence and unique attributes; to be happier and more at ease in their world.

Specifically, we plan to accomplish our mission through any or all of the following:

1) encouraging the use of whichever types of Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) methods are needed to communicate effectively for those autistic individuals who require them in that they are non-verbal or inadequately verbal - and also providing training of speech pathologists and other persons to assist the autistic persons in use of such methods.

2) helping to establish and/or support programs/services in above methods where they are presently in use, or where they might be implemented.

3) lobbying for laws mandating adequate communication services and methods appropriate for each autistic individual, child and adult.
   
3) sponsoring events (at least annually, perhaps more frequently) to raise autism awareness in accord with that stated in paragraph one, above. These events might also be to raise funds, on a small scale for Happi Act's modest operating expenses, and/or on a larger scale to support specified communication programs/services/projects.

4) maintaining the Happi Act website to continue to raise autism awareness in accord with that stated in paragraph one, above.  We will add to it when indicated, including posting of details of Events and current projects.

5) donating communication supplies, technological equipment and/or funds, if and when needed, to communication departments of facilities and/or centers, to be used for communication skill enhancement for autistic individuals, child and adult

6) providing a platform for expression of thoughts and ideas by autistic indivduals, their families, and others, on communcation- related topics, as well as providing a source of emotional support to such individuals re.these issues.

7) serving as a liaison body for individuals, organizations, institutes and for all others interested in and/or involved with communication methods/issues for autistic persons. Purposes of this liaison; to communicate with each other for mutual support and assistance, to share information, and to act uniformly as advocates, when indicated, on specific communication issues re. autistic individuals.
Donations to help us in our work are gratefully accepted and are tax deductible. Please make Checks/Money Orders payable to Happi Act and mail them to:

 Happi Act c/o P-T Gold  
10 Stirrup Lane
Fort Salonga, NY  11768.

On behalf of autistic persons everywhere, we thank you!