CAMDEN — By PATRIC FLANNIGAN
Staff writer
The seventh Annual Walk for Autism will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Coleman Stadium. Door prizes, games and activities that will allow for participants to learn while having fun will be available.
The theme for this year’s event is “It’s in my DNA.”
Walk for Autism Organizer Wyletta Johnson has made it her mission to raise awareness about ASD. In 2016, Johnson explained how she was that the event could be held in Camden after spending its first few years in El Dorado. In its seven-year history, the event has outgrown venues and nearly tripled in size every year. Johnson has also made it a point of emphasis to children with autism involved in the walk.
“We are changing the perception that children who have autism cannot do anything,” Johnson stated in 2016. “They (the participant) are excited, and I am excited. We are just looking forward to having a great time and raising awareness.”
Johnson said the community has provided strong support for the Walk with sponsors, prizes and vendors doubling from last year. She said that several perfumes and clothing vendors will be in attendance along with refreshments for the attendees. Johnson also added that the event will go on - rain or shine - as she has gotten permission to use the basketball gym at Coleman Stadium in case of rainy weather. There will also be more entertainment as several local artist are scheduled to perform during the event.
Autism Speaks and Arkansas Gives are also scheduled to be in attendance, in addition to several other booths, a Zumba area, and games.
The Autism Walk is just one of Johnson’s projects to promote autism awareness. She also organizes the annual Autistic Stars Achievement Banquet that has traditionally been scheduled for November.
Johnson has invited elected officials, representatives of schools, college Greek organizations, churches and the general public to attend and support the event.
She also requested that people who take photos at the event upload them to #AutisticVoyage so an album can be made.
According to autismspeaks.org, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviors.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data in 2014 about the prevalence of autism in the United States.
This surveillance study identified 1 in 68 children - 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls - as having ASD.
For more information about this weekend’s event, contact Johnson at 675-1332, or search Annual Walk for Autism on Facebook