[Ang]

http://www.heraldargus.com/articles/2012/0...69916926367.txt

Annual Autism Walk-a-thon moves to fairgrounds

By Gabrielle Gonzalez
Staff writer
219-362-3870 Ext. 13870
ggonzalez@heraldargus.com
Published: Thursday, April 5, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
La PORTE — The 8th annual Autism Awareness Walk-a-thon has grown.

"We have been getting bigger every year," said Kim Clark, secretary of the Autism Society of North Central Indiana.

This year, ASNCI is holding the event at the La Porte County Fairgrounds instead of Kesling Park due to large turnout. Clark said the event usually has between 600 to 700 walkers.

Pre-registration is now available for the Walk-a-thon, which will be held on April 28.

ASNCI offers support to parents with autistic children in La Porte, Porter, St. Joseph and Marshall counties. Currently, one out of 83 babies born in Indiana will be affected by autism. No cure is known for autism.

"People need to understand and be more compassionate so that those with autism are not judged and looked at differently," said Clark.

The event will have autism awareness information booths and an inflatable jump house and activities for the children.

"The children have a good time," said Clark. "They get to just be normal for a day. There are lots of smiles on the kids' faces."

The run will start at 8 a.m. and the walk will start at 10 a.m. Registration for both on April 28 will be available during the hour before each event. The minimum cost for participants is $10 per person and event.

Every participant registered will receive a T-shirt for autism awareness. Lunch will also be provided for participants in the walk.

Parent Representative and Camp Director of ASNCI Karen Cooper had the idea of the walk-a-thon eight years ago to get the word out about autism and to raise funds for the autism children's camp. The camp is an annual free three-week camp for autistic children 14 and older to meet and socialize with the others.

The ASNCI website states that autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.

To sign up for the walk or to learn more about autism go online to www.asnci.org.

[MCRogers1974]

A very good project for a great cause. My youngest daughter participated in this project numerous times.