KennMerchant04292010

= **Autism Walk 2010** = By: KENN MERCHANT kenntheconverse@gmail.com


 * BANGOR** - [[image:79300.jpg width="72" height="114" align="left" caption="Autism Ribbon-- Autism Society of America" link="@http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=asa_ribbon"]]The Walk for Autism event was held this past Sunday, April 25. The event was held at three different locations in Maine, the University of New England in Biddeford, University College of Bangor, and the Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Registration began at 11AM and the walk started at 12PM lasting till 2PM.

According to the Autism Society of Maine, Autism is a developmental disorder that strikes children during early childhood, following them throughout the rest of their adult lives. One in every one hundred fifty children will be born into autism. Autistic children are impacted by slow development of the brain, especially in areas of cognition, social interaction, and communication skills. It was the Autism Society of Maine that helped raise money for autistic people, so research could begin. ASM’s mission statement says that they are a “non-profit organization that serves individuals with autism and their families, professionals, and communities by providing education, advocacy, referrals, and resource development.”

One family was calling themselves Kyle's Team, supporting one of their relatives who had autism. After talking to individuals of the family group, Michelle Paris, Kyle's mother, said, "This is a great opportunity for families with autistic children to get together... providing donations to the community of autistic children here in Maine." According to the family they have been supporting the cause for autism for almost eight years now. Kyle is fifteen this year, and showed quite a bit of enthusiasm during this year's event.

ASM sponsors the Autism Walk every year, this year being their eighth. The walk is two miles, and at each event refreshments, face painting, and entertainment was provided. There were vendors who gave out information pamphlets who also answered questions. Another vendor was giving out colored sand bottles. At the door, upon registering and giving a donation, participants were given Autism Walk tee shirts. Participants also had the chance to become a member of the ASM. Although the projected total of participants has not yet been released, there certainly was a huge group of people walking. 