Tessa and Mike Zertuche, owners of AllGood Driving School and parents of two sons with autism, are donating proceeds from their online driver education course enrollments to the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute.
The course is designed for new drivers who are required to complete driver’s education before applying for a learner’s permit with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Zertuches are committed to finding a cure for autism. Both of their boys with the disorder ? Caylor, 7, and Corbin, 5 ? along with younger sister Kiana, 1, have participated in M.I.N.D. Institute research studies to help identify causes and early markers. When the institute was burglarized in April and research equipment was lost or damaged, they were inspired to become donors as well.
“We are doing this because we want a cure,” said Mrs. Zertuche. “We will never give up hope for that, and we will do what we can to make sure that happens.”
All proceeds received from Sacramento County enrollees in the online driver education course between Aug. 5 and Aug. 18 will be donated to M.I.N.D. Institute autism research. Enrollments tend to be high during this timeframe, when 15-to-17 year olds can complete the first step in their driver’s education before starting the school year. The course is $75.
Autism is a pervasive, lifelong, neurodevelopmental disorder that causes poor verbal and communication skills, repetitive behaviors and impaired social abilities. There is currently no cure, and it is estimated that one in every 150 children in the United States has autism or a closely related disorder. Autism currently costs the nation $90 billion each year – a figure that is expected to double in the next decade.
The M.I.N.D. Institute is a unique center bringing together parents, clinicians, scientists and educators for research on causes, treatments and cures for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.