The Miracle Project to Perform for UN Event on World Autism Awareness Day

The Miracle Project, a renowned autism and arts nonprofit, will be welcomed by the United Nations to present and perform during the celebration of World Autism Awareness Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on March 31, 2017, culminating with a performance at 12:30pm. It will be the Miracle Project's record fourth time participating in this event within a decade.

Current The Miracle Project performer Spencer Harte, a young adult with autism, will perform Aria Nella Fantasia with Miracle Project Founder Elaine Hall as part of personifying the self-determination panel "The way forward: The 2030 agenda and the commitment to leave no one behind," as part of the World Autism Awareness Day celebrations. Harte has previously performed at the White House celebrating the 26th anniversary of the ADA.

Among the international panel presenters, United States representatives include panel presenters Barry M. Prizant Ph.D., Keynote Speaker Dr. Simon BaRon Cohen, and President of the U.N. General Assembly Peter Thomson.

It is through the UN panel that the Miracle Project is able to complete one of the core missions of the organization, promotion of understanding, acceptance, and awareness of those affected by autism. "We are thankful to the U.N. for their longtime work creating bridges between all people of all nations to have a better understanding of autism, and including people of all abilities in this celebration," says Miracle Project Founder Elaine Hall.

Public information: The event is organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information and Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ecuador, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan and Poland. For more information, visit www.un.org/en/events/autismday/2017/events.shtml.

Founded in 2004, The Miracle Project is an evidence based, multi-platform socialization program that enabLes Children, teens and young adults with and without autism to express themselves through music, dance, acting, story, and writing based in Los Angeles but serving and inspiring families across the country. The Miracle Project assists all children of all abilities to grow in skill and in spirit while creating and performing in original musicals. This acclaimed arts program was documented in the HBO double EMMY Award-winning documentary, AUTISM: THE MUSICAL. Go to www.themiracleproject.org for more information.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, autism now affects 1 in 68 children in the United States. Autism is a complex condition that affects a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges.