Autism fundraiser slated for Saturday

The Autism Society Bayou is holding its eighth annual fundraiser “Hunting for the Missing Pieces” 5k run-walk for autism awareness Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in Morgan City.

It will begin at Morgan City Junior High School Stadium.

The theme of the run-walk stems from a puzzle piece that symbolizes autism on the Autism Speaks website.

“You’re hunting for the piece to help your loved one that has autism,” President Dawn Spinella said. “It’s about awareness.”

Autism spectrum disorder and autism are both general terms for group complex disorders of brain development, according to the Autism Speaks website.

These disorders are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, verbal and nonverbal communication. Characterizations vary for each person diagnosed.

Signs and symptoms emerge between 2 and 3 years of age.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 68 children have been identified with autism. It is five times more common among boys (one in 42) than girls (one in 189).

“If you’re not affected by it personally, someone you know is,” Spinella said.

The autism awareness run-walk entry fee is $25 for adults and $15 for students. Participants can enter until race day. Fees are non-refundable.

There is no guarantee a participant registering the day of the run-walk event will receive a T-shirt.

Presently, there are 140 people registered for the event.

This is also a family fun day event for those not participating in the run-walk. But there is a $5 fee.

The funds from the event will be used to provide training for emergency personnel.

“So, when our people or individuals are in an emergency situation, the cops, ER doctors, or emergency personnel are going to know how to deal with them, handle them and not make the situation worse,” Spinella said.

In the past, funds have been used to send parents and caregivers to workshops and conferences for information that helps them care for loved ones with autism.

The Autism Society Bayou is a support organization for residents in Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, Terrebonne, and Lower St. Martin parishes. It was founded in 2000.

“Our money raised stays inside the five parishes we serve,” Spinella said.

A support group meets every third Saturday at the North Terrebonne Parish Branch Library in Gray. The group provides information and opportunities to share experiences with people affected by autism.

Spinella has an 18-year-old son, Tyler, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2.

At the time of Tyler’s diagnosis, one in 250 children was identified as having autism.

Joining the support group in 2001 equipped David and Dawn Spinella as parents to take better care of their son.

“It makes you realize that you’re not the only one out there dealing with this,” Dawn Spinella said.

“When they first diagnosed, it helped because when you first get the initial diagnosis it can be very scary because you don’t know what’s out there for services and support.

“You don’t know what the future is going to hold for your child. So having someone there that understands, that’s been there, means a lot.”

David Spinella worked in the financial industry at the time of their son’s diagnosis.

He decided to leave that industry and pursue a career in special education.

David Spinella started as a para-educator in Tyler’s classroom. Today, he is a special education teacher at Morgan City Junior High School.

Fifteen years later, a lot has changed in the educational system over that time period, Dawn Spinella said.

“I feel teachers are now more willing to get the education, knowledge and to learn what to do to help these children.”

Tyler attends Assumption High School. His parents feel his needs are best met there.

For more information about the Saturday run-walk event, contact Dawn Spinella at 985-397-3812 or Gwen Hebert at 985-791-7764.