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Faces of local children appear on 10 signs around Greater Akron. Parents hope to raise public awareness about common disorder
By Carl Chancellor
Beacon Journal
Published on Friday, Apr 04, 2008
The Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society has decided to put a face — make that faces — on the brain disorder that affects 1.5 million people in the United States, including about one of every 150 children.
During April, which is National Autism Awareness Month, the Akron area's skyline will be dotted with 10 billboards featuring the faces of local children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a complex developmental disability.
In addition to the photographs, the outdoor advertisements will feature an educational message about this common, yet little understood, disorder.
All 10 billboards prominently feature the tag line: ''Intelligent. Unique. Autism.''
Each billboard also has a secondary message such as: ''Speech can be harder with autism — Be patient,'' ''Making friends is harder with autism — Be a friend'' and ''People with autism see the world differently — Don't we all?''
Lisa Weaver, president of the Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society of America, said the billboards are on display in Summit, Medina and Portage counties. The chapter also serves Stark and Wayne counties.
''We hope the billboards will help raise awareness and understanding of what autism is,'' Weaver said.
A collaboration of the Autism Society and Clear Channel Outdoor advertising made the billboards possible, she said.
Weaver, a Barberton resident, is the mother of two children. Her son Andrew, 13, has autism and is featured on one of the billboards.
''The message on his billboard — 'Seeing the world differently' — is so perfect for him,'' she said, explaining that her son has difficulty with ''communication skills.''
Autism can be mild to severe and not all autistic people are affected in the same way or have the same symptoms.
In rare cases, autistic people display extraordinary abilities, like amazing memorization powers or playing an instrument without ever being taught.
Weaver said her son began reading when he was 18 months old.
According to the Autism Society, the cause of the disorder is unknown and there is no cure.
Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh is active in the local autism chapter and, like Weaver, has a son with the disorder.
''Public awareness is the No. 1 goal of the billboards,'' Walsh said.
''As a parent, one of my biggest fears is that, once my 9-year-old son reaches middle school, he may be bullied and misunderstood because he is different.''
The thrust of Autism Awareness Month and of the billboard effort is to encourage the public to educate itself about the disorder and the challenges that autistic people face.
The hope is that understanding will foster respect and the realization that with help, kindness, patience and encouragement, people with autism can show improvement.
Walsh said one of her biggest hopes is that her son, when grown, will be able to live on his own and be self-sufficient.
''I want him to have friends and be accepted by people in the community,'' she said. '' . . . As parents, we try to do everything we can to make sure our children can fit into normal society, but maybe society should be more accepting of their world.''
For more information about the Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society of America, go to http://www.asagreaterakron.com or call 330-543-3955.
Carl Chancellor can be reached at 330-996-3725 or cchancellor@thebeaconjournal.com.
The Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society has decided to put a face — make that faces — on the brain disorder that affects 1.5 million people in the United States, including about one of every 150 children.
Get the full article here.
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