The editors of Autism Spectrum Quarterly are pleased to announce ASQ’s third annual “Kids on the Cover” contest which is being sponsored by the Autism Tissue Program. The announcement of the winning photo will appear in the winter issue of Autism Spectrum Quarterly due out in November 2007. The winner’s photo will be featured on the cover of the spring issue scheduled for publication in February 2008. The contest is open to subscribers and non-subscribers of ASQ. Registrants of the Autism Tissue Program and families of donors to the Autism Tissue Program are welcome to submit photos.

Contest Rules: All submissions must be for children under the age of 18 with an ASD diagnosis. Only high-quality photos will be considered, but need not be taken by a professional photographer. Submit portrait-orientation photos (taller than they are wide), not landscape orientation. The photos must be at least 4” x 6” in size. Clearly print the following information on the back of each photo: name of parent or guardian; child’s name; residence address; telephone number; and parent’s or guardian’s email address. It is very important that this information be included. Photos will not be returned. The winning photo will be selected by the editors of Autism Spectrum Quarterly. Mail entries to: Autism Spectrum Quarterly, c/o Starfish Specialty Press, LLC, P O Box 799, Higganum, CT 06441-0799. Entries must be postmarked no later than September 15, 2007. Do not email photos. Entries that do not follow the contest rules may be disqualified. The Autism Tissue Program (ATP) is a national brain tissue donor program that provides researchers around the world the ability to research the causes of and treatments for autism by supporting post-mortem brain tissue donation and research. The number of children being diagnosed with autism has reached epidemic proportions. According to the CDC, 1/150 children will be diagnosed with the disorder; however, research is severely restricted because this previous resource is not available for study. Unfortunately, the pubic is not aware that being an organ and tissue donor designation does not include donating the brain, and that brain tissue donation is not automatic at death when other organs are donated. They may also not be aware that any person can register to be a donor. To learn more about the ATP, please visit AutismTissueProgram.org.