Montgomery — The scene at the county park yesterday looked sort of like a tailgate, with vehicles lining the grassy hills and hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.
And sort of like a rock concert, with live music and crowds in souvenir T-shirts.
And a lot like a recess gone wild, as hundreds of kids with painted cheeks and sticky mouths raced around Thomas Bull Memorial Park for the annual Autism Move-A-Thon.
Organized by the Mental Health Association in Orange County and a cadre of parent volunteers, the Move-A-Thon urged folks of all ages to walk, run or dance a mile to raise awareness about autism, the nation's fastest-growing developmental disorder. Roughly 1,200 people attended this year.
Studies show the number of children diagnosed with autism has been increasing 10 percent to 17 percent annually. In 1990, about 1 in 10,000 kids developed autism. Odds are now 1 in 150.
"It's an epidemic," said Nadia Allen, executive director of the Mental Health Association. Events like the Move-A-Thon, she said, give families living with autism a chance to network with others. The idea is to share information and help society better understand the disorder.
Mild to severe autism generally appears between 15 and 20 months of age. In most cases, a child who seems to be progressing normally will start to regress, losing physical abilities, speech and social skills. About 40 percent of autistic people never speak, and many respond unusually to sounds and touch.
For parents, the behavior of their autistic children can turn simple activities, like going to a playground or to church, into uncomfortable situations.
"Sometimes other people who don't have special kids are indifferent toward Sammy," said Adelaida Escamilla of Newburgh, whose 6-year-old son is autistic. One day, when she was in the grocery store and Sammy was making loud noises, someone told her to make him "shut up."
"Sammy is sensitive," she said. He can tell when someone is angry with him or poking fun.
"Sometimes families with this kind of child can't go outside with their kids," she said.
That was not the case yesterday. Kids ricocheted inside inflatable castles, banged on drum sets, rode a miniature choo-choo train and helped a fairy with purple hair do magic tricks.
The Escamilla family wore blue tie-dyed T-shirts that said, "Someone I love has autism. Ask me how you can help."
The Move-A-Thon is a major fundraiser for the Mental Health Association's autism outreach programs. Last year's event raised about $28,000.
A portion of the proceeds are donated to national autism research groups, but much of it stays local, providing hundreds of mini-grants — stipends of as much as $250 — for families to receive better autism care. Parents use the funds to attend conferences or therapies not covered by insurance plans. Some buy books, special toys, nutritional supplements and safety gates.
To learn more about autism and ways to get involved, visit www.mhaorangeny.com or call 294-7411.
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