Walk set to help raise autism awareness

By Deb Kelly
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE April 17, 2008 11:02 pm

— A Wabash Valley mother hopes to save other families from having to investigate their children’s autism diagnosis in isolation.
Shauna M. Layton of Clinton recently started the support group Together in Autism to provide information, support, links to resources and – hopefully someday – a complete autism wellness and information center in the area.
On Saturday, the group is staging an awareness walk at noon in Terre Haute for anyone who is interested in learning more about autism or Together in Autism.
Layton, whose 5-year-old son is autistic, said she started the group because when she first started learning about her son’s condition, “There were few to no support groups” in the area.
With the increase in autism diagnoses, that is changing, she said, but parents are still hungry for information and connections with others experiencing a similar situation.
Autism is a variable developmental disorder that appears by age 3 and is characterized by impairment of the ability to form normal social relationships, by impairment of the ability to communicate with others and by stereotyped behavior patterns.
It is estimated that 1 in 150 children has autism. April is Autism Awareness Month.
“Our Web site supplies a guide map from pre- to post-diagnosis and is known for listing all available resources that are in the autism community,” Layton said.
The site includes signs and symptoms of autism, information on where in Indiana to go for a diagnosis, health insurance information for autism, links to other autism Web sites and a link to various book and article titles on the topic.
“I did not want any families to go through the nightmare of having to become an investigator at the time of diagnosis,” Layton said.
As for her dream to see an autism center established in the Wabash Valley, Layton said, “We need a place where there’s all resources available for the autism community, as well as physical and mental wellness of the caregivers. We have no options, we have to go to Indianapolis,” she said.
Layton recently became acquainted with members of a local branch of Autism Speaks, a national organization, she said.
“I have spoke with them and am so glad to see them, along with a few other national groups popping up in the area,” she said, adding that when she learned of her son’s diagnosis, she sought out a local branch of Autism Speaks, but did not find one at the time.
Layton said she wanted to organize Terre Haute’s first autism walk during the month of April to “get together and show the Wabash Valley we’re here.
“Autism affects entire families emotionally, physically, and there’s a major lack of insurance coverage,” she said.
“One of our many goals is to meet each family’s unique needs,” Layton added. “Everyone is on their own journey, so we are ever-evolving …
“We want everyone to know that they are not alone. We are together in autism,” she said.
Together in Autism is on the net at www.togetherinautism.com.
Deb Kelly can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.kelly@tribstar.com.