Autism Community Walk returns with actions, affirmations, and household enjoyable | Western Lehigh County

UPPER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Families from throughout the area got here collectively for the second annual Autism Community Walk, hosted by Magellan Healthcare, to advertise autism acceptance. The occasion featured a wide range of actions, together with speeches from particular friends, a group stroll, and alternatives for households to attach with native sources.

Julio Hernandez attended the occasion together with his household in custom-made shirts to point out help for his brother, Sebastian, who’s on the autism spectrum. Hernandez shared that occasions like these supply useful networking alternatives for households in search of help and sources.

“I think as far as events like this, they’re great networking opportunities to look at the resources and different types of support groups,” Hernandez stated.

The occasion started with speeches specializing in autism acceptance and the sources out there for households. Magellan Healthcare highlighted a variety of applications primarily based on greatest practices to assist households navigating life with autism.

Thomas Walker, Senior Account Executive for Magellan Healthcare, emphasised the significance of group involvement. He talked about that native organizations and police attended to point out their help for the occasion.

“Today is about creating connections for families who need to know they are not alone,” Walker stated.

After the speeches, members started the stroll, which featured a number of mini stations the place attendees might accumulate objects and write phrases of affirmation for autism acceptance.

Sebastian loved strolling across the park whereas Stacy and her mom, Mimi Ludwig, painted rocks, one in every of their favourite actions. Mimi expressed gratitude for occasions like this, which assist help households and people in the neighborhood.

“There’s really not enough groups and activities and parent support groups out there to help people navigate what they need to do and how they can help be their best self,” Mimi stated.

Walker is hopeful that the third annual stroll will proceed the momentum, bringing much more households collectively subsequent yr.