How our foundation began...

The Spectrum of Hope Foundation was started in 2009 by the Wilson/Blomberg Families after 2 children in the family were diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. Danny Wilson was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at the age of 3 and shortly after his cousin Finn Blomberg was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 4. As parents and family members of Danny and Finn we have personal experience with the costs of therapies, doctors, one-on-one aids, and other tools needed for them to lead a happy and rewarding life. Unfortunately, many families struggle with these costs as well as finding resources to help which can be detrimental to a child with Autism.   

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first 3 years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that effects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Until recently, the tragedy of autism was a rare occurrence, affecting only 1 in 10,000 children. During the last decade, the rate of Autism Spectrum Disorders has soared to epidemic levels. Currently, autism affects 1 in 110 children in the United States.

There are over 1.5 million cases of Autism in this country alone, with a child being diagnosed every 20 minutes. Despite these alarming statistics, autism remains severely underfunded and still remains a medical mystery. Autism costs the nation over $90 billion per year, a figure expected to double in the next decade. Early detection and intervention is the key for success. 

Please join us for the 2011 Spectrum of Hope Golf Tournament!

As a corner stone of our fundraising efforts we welcome you to join us on Sunday October 2nd, 2011 for the 3rd annual Spectrum of Hope Gold Tournament. We invite you to join us for an exciting day golf with friends and family while building awareness of Autism and hoping to raise funds for families struggling with the ever increasing costs associated with this disorder. Our hopes for this tournament and future tournaments are to help people understand what Autism is, and how people can learn to accept and truly understand what these kids struggle with on a daily basis. These kids are truly remarkable and special people, and the more people know about Autism the easier it will be for all to see that. We also want to help all the wonderful organizations that are out there supporting these kids and adults as they do such incredible work and make such huge impacts on these kids and their families’ lives.

This year we hope to continue to build awareness and raise more funds to help support the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders by donating proceeds from the event to Asperger’s Association of New England (www.aane.org).  AANE will use the donated funds to provide grants to families struggling with the cost of the therapies, aids, doctors, and other tools necessary for children across the autism spectrum live happy and rewarding lives

Proof positive that your support does make a difference!

 We would like to inform you that last years’ tournament was a great success! Organizations such as The ARC of Greater Plymouth in Massachusetts and Easter Seals of New Hampshire EACH received $3,500 to help aid in providing valuable programs and services to families and children affected by Autism.  Past recipients of the tournaments fundraising efforts were the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism and the Autism Society of America. The Spectrum of Hope Foundation applauds those who came together to help bring further understanding of Autism and acknowledges the support and donations made by so many caring people extending their generosity to help others in need...for that and so much more that has been done, we thank you.