AUTISM SOCIETY JOINS FORCES WITH YANNI DRUMMER CHARLIE ADAMS TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION REACH

BETHESDA, MD, April 9, 2004 – The Autism Society of America (ASA), the oldest and largest grassroots organization within the autism community, and Charlie Adams, Yanni’s lead drummer for over 20 years, today announced a partnership to help increase autism awareness and further define a global online education program to bring expert advise to the families who need this resource the most in the comfort of their own home.

The ASA and Charlie plan to co-sponsor a series of Webcasts and events featuring leading autism experts, thought leaders and families across the globe to provide education, discuss trends, and share challenges and best practices. The upcoming webcast topics and dates will be announced at the ASA’s Annual conference. The topics will be carefully selected to respect the parent choice philosophy, that no single program or treatment will benefit all individuals with autism.

Additionally, as part of this alliance, Charlie will be a spokesperson for the ASA and he will participate at ASA’s events. Today, Charlie and his wife Andrea will join the ASA "Rooted in Hope" ceremony at the ASA headquarters’ in Bethesda, which is part of a national tree-planting campaign signifying the unified strength of ASA's grassroots efforts and the hope the ASA gives to families. During the month of April, National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM), the Autism Society of America joins millions of families affected by autism to help raise awareness of autism. Charlie will also kick-off the opening general session at the upcoming ASA Annual Convention in Seattle, July 8 -11, 2004, with a musical introduction.

“My family’s first hand experience with autism, enables Andrea and I to provide the ASA community with a parent perspective on autism needs. We are thrilled to work with the ASA and look forward to helping others as a result of this partnership,” says Charlie Adams. According to ASA’s President Rob Beck, “by combining the ASA’s commitment to providing the best and most comprehensive education, advocacy, research and community resources with Charlie’s passion for family, music and the importance of supporting programs to improve the treatment of autism, we have created a powerful relationship that leverages our combined strengths to develop programs to help meet our community’s challenges.”

About ASA
For more than three decades the ASA has been acknowledged as the leading source of education, information and referral about autism and has been the leader in advocacy and legislation initiatives. Today, over 20,000 members are connected through a working network of over 200 chapters in nearly every state. For more information, please visit http://www.autism-society.org.

About Charlie Adams
Charlie is one of the world's best and most recognized drummers. He has been Yanni’s drum lead for over 20 years and their CD’s have gone platinum and double platinum. Live at The Acropolis sold over 8 million copies and the video set pledge drive records when it played on PBS. Charlie is currently playing in Yanni’s Ethnicity 2003/2004 tour. For more information about Charlie, visit http://www.charlieadams.com.