Community puts foot forward for autism

November 23, 2009 by Danielle Decuir 

With autism cases increasing every year, UNLV community shows support

While most UNLV students and faculty were off for the weekend, some gathered in support of an often misunderstood disorder.

The UNLV campus hosted live performances, games, informational booths and hundreds of people in attendance Saturday during Walk Now for Autism Las Vegas.

The event featured activities including a walk, autism device demonstrations and an effort to gain support for congressional legislation for autism research and facilities.

Autism, a neurological disorder that inhibits social interaction and the growth of communication skills, is estimated to affect 0.3 to 0.6 percent of children in the United States.

“Basically everyone will know someone with autism in their lifetime,” said Jennifer Strobel, the executive director of Families for Effective Autism Treatment. “The center for disease control releases new numbers every year and the number of autism cases grows each year.”

Autism Speaks, the country’s largest autism science and advocacy organization that is dedicated to funding research for the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism, hosted the event.

Sandra Valencia, a volunteer, said her desire to lend a helping hand came from her belief in the effort.

“I work for the school district and any support that I can give,” Valencia said. “I am willing to do that. We need to raise awareness, funding, all of that to help this cause.”

Evelyn Dague, autism teacher for the ‘kids program’ at Paul E. Culley Elementary School, agreed. She said her experiences with autistic children have taught her the effects of the disorder on young students.

“They are beautiful children,” Dague said. “Their sensory abilities are just different. People should try to become educated about autism and not be afraid of it.”

Brett Silver, the outreach and public awareness coordinator of the State of Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs Nevada State Library and Archives, who is also legally blind, gave his interpretation of the common misconceptions that many people have about disabilities and teaching the disabled.

“I think that people need to not generalize others when it comes to disabilities,” Silver said. “We are still people and individuals and what is good for one person may not be good for another.”

Bobbie Osbourn, the mother of an autistic child, suggested places for people to learn about or support autistic children and autism research.

“The best place to start is your local support groups,” Osbourn said.

Osbourn said she believes that autistic children can learn if they are given the appropriate support.

“They are just like all children who need love, support and encouragement to learn,” she said.

She added that parents suspecting that their children may have autism should take action.

“Seek out resources and start early intervention,” Osbourn said, “even if you aren’t sure if they have autism or if you can’t get a diagnosis.”

Dague said parents should look to the media, Internet, doctors and people familiar with autism for more information and potential resources.

“Access as much of the outside community as you can,” Dague said. “Get as much info from outside resources as possible to help the child.”

Strobel also suggested parents utilize community groups as resources.

“It takes a village to raise a child,” Strobel said.

She also issued a warning to parents.

“I think that parents also need to know that they should focus on evidence-based treatment because there are a lot of scams out there that claim to treat autism,” Strobel said. “Use evidence-based treatments and talk to other families with autistic children and see what works best for them.”

Dague said the important thing is to ensure acceptance of those with the disorder.

“Autistic children need to have a place in society,” Dague said, “and not just be cast out and ostracized.”

Osbourn expressed a similar sentiment.

“I hope that the community can embrace people with autism,” she said, “so that there is not a stigma to it.”