April's focus is on Autism awareness

March 30--WILKES-BARRE -- An increasing number of families face the challenges of raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a general term for a group of complex brain development disorders. According to the National Autism Association's website, ASD now affects 1 in 68 children and that number is growing.

April is Autism Awareness Month, and several local organizations are sponsoring events geared at raising both money and awareness of a condition that sometimes seems to be unmanageable.

Dolphus Teart is well aware of the challenges and the rewards of raising a child with autism.

Teart, parent and ASD family advocate, said the ability for families affected by ASD to go out into the community and participate in "normal" activities is life changing.

Teart co-founded Parents & Professionals with Julie Miller Holbrook, speech pathologist at John Heinz Rehabilitation Center, in 2005. Both shared a common vision of parents and clinicians coming together to provide understanding, socialization and support for families affected by autism.

When funding became available, they were able to make that vision a reality.

Their common ground is the desire to fill gaps in the continuum of care in Luzerne County and surrounding areas.

"We do what we do selflessly," said Teart, whose son is now 24, "we want to reach out to other families who are still struggling."

This year the organization will sponsor a trip to the Philadelphia Zoo on April 26. The trip coincides with National Autism Day at the facility. Five buses will be filled with 300 children affected by ADS and their families.

"Its an event in which parents can really feel relaxed among those who understand the challenges of ADS," he said.

Weekend events

The Autism Coalition of Luzerne County (ACLC) of which Teart is also a member will sponsor an Autism Awareness Weekend on April 24 and 25.

The weekend will begin with a candlelight vigil at the Luzerne County Courthouse, which will include awarding of grants to various organizations supporting autism awareness.

The next morning, an Autism Awareness 5K Run/Walk and awareness fair will be held at the Forty Fort Recreational Complex, with the registration for the 5K race beginning at 7:30 a.m. and registration for the walk beginning at 9 a.m.

Lyndsay Decker Rysz -- facilitator of the Aspergers Support Group Meeting for adults, which meets monthly at the Graham Academy, Luzerne -- will be addressing those gathered at the candlelight vigil.

"Its important to remember that you're not alone," said Rysz, "I remember the freedom I felt when I met someone else who had Aspergers."

'Donut challenge'

For those more comfortable with social media, Max Jamelli has presented the "donut challenge" on Facebook.

The Hazleton native, a business education teacher at Chambersburg School District, is hoping people across the social medium will attempt to fit an entire donut in their mouth, or half a donut or even one bite. Participants are then encouraged to send in a $5 donation to the National Autism Society.

Jamelli has lent not only his expertise about timing and marketing, but his heart to the effort. His son, Derek, 6, has High Functioning Autism, and he is well acquainted with the need to improve the lives of those who struggle with its effects and their families.

"Kids with autism don't think like the rest of us," said Jamelli, "they're literal, they're scheduled, they want to know what's coming next."

Others often misinterpret actions of someone with autism as being purposefully non-compliant or disruptive. In fact, these children are often doing their very best.

Both Jamelli and Teart, said time and effort put into working with children affected by autism is well worth it.

"They need consistency in the long term," said Teart, "but its certainly possible to make wonderful progress."

Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLggibbons

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