One out of every 88 children is born with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the likelihood is four times greater for boys. Currently, there are more than 400 people in Kent County living with some form of this complex developmental disability.
Autism Support of Kent County, Inc. (ASK) serves people with ASD and their families by providing information and resources, hosting family events and by funding music therapy, camp attendance and school outings.
ASD is caused by a neurological disorder that affects a person’s social interaction and communication skills, as well as their sensory system. It’s usually diagnosed before a child reaches the age of two.
Those with ASD typically have difficulty communicating with others, especially in social situations. Emotional outbursts are common and they may act extremely sensitive to light, sound and touch.
There is currently no cure for ASD, however, various treatments have been shown to reduce some of the challenges associated with the disability. Since the range of ASD varies from mild to severe, treatment approaches tend to be highly individualized.
Each year, ASK spends approximately $10,000 underwriting music therapy for children who are enrolled in one of Kent County’s 55 Autism classrooms. Licensed music therapists from the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell visit once a month to get the students interested in music while encouraging communication. Studies show that individuals with ASD respond favorably to music, making this type of therapy a helpful treatment option.
“If a child can be engaged in music, that often helps with behaviors and communication,” says ASK Board Secretary Celia Andrus.
Andrus knows first hand what living with someone with ASD is like. Her own son, Josh, was diagnosed as a child after it became clear he wasn’t behaving the way other kids his age were. Andrus remembers that he would cry for hours and he never spoke or pointed at anything.
“Back then, I didn’t even know what autism was,” she admits.
Josh, who is now 26, functions on the severe end of the Autism spectrum. He is nonverbal and experiences difficulty with his fine motor skills, meaning that his brain tells him one thing, but his body does another.
Andrus says there’s often the misconception that people who don’t speak, don’t understand, but in reality, they do. In 2004, Josh participated in a class in Austin, Texas, where he was taught how to use a letter board to communicate. It was then that Andrus discovered her son knew how to read and spell words. Many ASD therapy programs now use iPads as a tool to promote better communication skills.
In addition to funding the music therapy program, ASK provides another $10,000 each year for Indian Trails Camp scholarships. This summer camp is a place where individuals with disabilities such as ASD can go to have fun while getting the one-on-one attention they need.
ASK also provides assistance to disadvantaged students enrolled in one of the Autism classes. Each child gets up to $100 a year to use toward classroom community outings such as movies, lunch and more.
ASK is one of several local resources for people with ASD in Kent County and their services are free. They rely on donations from the community to fund their programs and events.
The organization operates inexpensively with an all-volunteer board and no office. They recently hired Pam Liggett to serve as executive director in the first permanent paid position since ASK began in 1973.
Every year, ASK hosts a walk, a Whitecaps baseball game and a golf outing to raise money. The eighth annual Golf Classic takes place on Monday, August 6, and there are still openings for individuals and foursomes. More information can be found below.
Monies raised from these events help pay for an annual holiday party, an Easter egg hunt and other fun activities throughout the year. These events offer families with Autistic children a comfortable environment where they don’t have to worry how their child will behave.
“If a child throws a screaming fit, we don’t judge,” says Andrus. “We’ve all been there.”
Autism Support of Kent County is making a difference in the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Here are some ways you can help them continue their efforts:
- Visit
Autism Support of Kent County online to find out more about them.
- Attend the eighth annual
Golf Classic on Monday, August 6 at the Highlands Golf Club on 2515 Leonard NW. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. The event concludes with a 5:30 p.m. dinner, including awards and prizes. The cost is $95 per player or $360 for a foursome.
-
Donate to ASK.
- Subscribe to their newsletter through a button on the
home page of the website.
- Volunteer for an event or attend a board meeting.
- Like them on
Facebook.
Source: Celia Andrus, Board Secretary for Autism Support of Kent County.
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor
Photos provided by Autism Support of Kent County.