The Medical Leader

RAISING AWARENESS: Officials reported that more than 600 people participated in the East Kentucky Autism Awareness Walk on April 24 in downtown Pikeville. Pictured below is Katina Justice whose son Blake is autistic. She helped organize the walk. - Medical Leader | MARY MEADOWS

PIKEVILLE — Pikeville city streets bled purple on April 24 during the East Kentucky Autism Awareness Walk.

Cindy Wetzel, who helped organize the event for the Pike County Fiscal Court, reported that 623 people attended the event, which commemorated April as National Autism Awareness Month.

The awareness walk was organized last year by Pike County resident Katina Justice, whose son is autistic. She worked with county officials, city officials, business representatives, and community residents to plan this year’s event.

Participants circled several blocks from and to the city park, received information at various booths, and enjoyed free lunch and T-shirts.

“It’s good to do things like this to spread awareness about autism. It feels like I am making a difference,” said Brittany Stump, 18, a Morehead State University art major who made posters for the walk.

She participated in honor of her 5-year-old brother, a Johns Creek Elementary student who has autism.

Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford presented a proclamation recognizing April as Autism Awareness Month in Pike County, explaining that the developmental disorder affects one out of every 130 children.

He emphasized the need for treatment in young children. The disorder usually appears in the child’s first three years of life.

Wetzel’s daughter, Hannah, an 8-year-old with autism, helped other local children carry the banner during the walk. Early treatment she received helped her overcome many obstacles caused by the disorder.

Hannah was diagnosed with autism when she was 2 years old and had intensive speech and occupational therapy before she started school. Her family sought help because Hannah didn’t achieve major milestones of development as a toddler.

Today, Hannah attends regular classes at Johns Creek Elementary.

“We’re trying to get the word out there and raise awareness so people know where to go and the resources available to them in this area,” Wetzel said. “If parents wait until their child starts school to get help, they’ve missed an opportunity. They’ve missed time they could have spent getting treatment.”

Representative Leslie Combs shared the story of an autistic family member who grew up alongside her son and taught her much about the disorder.

“I’m trying desperately to understand this,” she said, prior to asking why children are increasingly being diagnosed with autism. “Let’s continue to work on autism because I think there’s an answer.”

Senator Ray Jones, who sponsored legislation for the past two years to help families fund the treatment and diagnosis of autism, talked about House Bill 159, which was signed into law on April 14.

The law increases the amount insurance companies are required to pay for the treatment and diagnosis of autism from $500 monthly to $1,000 monthly, Jones said. Treatment of autism can cost up to $60,000 annually.

He said the law was a “step in the right direction” and promised to continue to work to raise the cap on the coverage so that more children can receive help.

The law may be found online at [www. lrc.ky.gov].

The event cost $4,500, Wetzel said.

Donations were provided by Teco Coal, H2O Construction, ICG Coal, Ratliff Moving and Delivery, William J. “Bill” Baird III and Kay Baird, Glenn Martin Hammond Law Office, Gary C. Johnson, Shane Hall, AAA Real Estate, Childers Oil, Summit Engineering, Hager and Associates, Oliver B. Williamson Financial Services, Community Trust Bank, C & C Carpet, and Kentucky Armory National Guard.

In-kind donations of food and other items were provided by Southeast Telephone, Pepsi, Food City, Walmart, Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center, Medical Leader, JW Call Funeral Home, and Thacker Memorial.