03-26-2006, 07:49 PM
I found this on a news site -
Garrett Logsdon, and others like him, were the life of a party Friday night in Midland.
The 8-year-old has autism, a neurological spectrum disorder affecting one out of every 250 people, according to Texas-based Families for Autism Support and Awareness.
In addition to autism, Logsdon suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a behavioral condition in which children have difficulty paying attention and focusing on tasks, according to Healthwise's online encyclopedia. Logsdon also has impulsivity and a disability known as sensory integration dysfunction.
Every few months, Logsdon and his family go to Austin for doctor visits. He is a student in the autism unit at L.B.J. Elementary School in Odessa, which has more educational programs for autistic children than the Midland Independent School District, according to families of local autistic children.
Logsdon's doctor even told his parents he would not get nearly as much help in Midland as he would in Odessa.
However, a new Midland organization is hoping to change that by providing support to autistic children and their families in the Permian Basin.
"We're trying to educate the public about the need for helping those with autism," said Angela Free, founder of the Autism FREEdom Foundation.
The organization, which kicked off in February, held an autism awareness fundraiser Friday night at Kessler's in Midland. For children like Logsdon, the estimated 400 in attendance made all the difference.
"I wished for this," Logsdon said. "I've waited for this to happen" so people would learn more about autism and want to help out.
According to the Families for Autism Support and Awareness, there is no known cause or cure for autism, which affects males by a 5:1 ratio. The disorder affects the person's socialization skills, sensory integration and communication skills.
The Autism FREEdom Foundation's mission is to provide education and financial support to autistic children 18 and younger and their families in the Permian Basin, Free said. Her two young sons, now ages 10 and 11, were both diagnosed at age 3.
Free said, according to the National Autism Society, the closest chapters of the organization near the Permian Basin are in Brownwood and Lubbock.
"There is not a resource here," Free said, adding the organization's short-term goal is to raise money by this month and build a home living skills room where autistic children can learn to become independent.
The group's long-term goal is to establish a school for autistic children in kindergarten through grade 12. So far, the organization has received about $2,000 in cash donations for the estimated $25,000 construction of the skills room.
Although her four children do not have autism, Linda Kidd knows some families, including a church member, with autistic children, her reason for supporting the event.
"I just want to help bring awareness to this community and help these kids have what we call a normal life and give the parents support and let them know they're not totally alone," Kidd said.
From mywesttexas.com
Garrett Logsdon, and others like him, were the life of a party Friday night in Midland.
The 8-year-old has autism, a neurological spectrum disorder affecting one out of every 250 people, according to Texas-based Families for Autism Support and Awareness.
In addition to autism, Logsdon suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a behavioral condition in which children have difficulty paying attention and focusing on tasks, according to Healthwise's online encyclopedia. Logsdon also has impulsivity and a disability known as sensory integration dysfunction.
Every few months, Logsdon and his family go to Austin for doctor visits. He is a student in the autism unit at L.B.J. Elementary School in Odessa, which has more educational programs for autistic children than the Midland Independent School District, according to families of local autistic children.
Logsdon's doctor even told his parents he would not get nearly as much help in Midland as he would in Odessa.
However, a new Midland organization is hoping to change that by providing support to autistic children and their families in the Permian Basin.
"We're trying to educate the public about the need for helping those with autism," said Angela Free, founder of the Autism FREEdom Foundation.
The organization, which kicked off in February, held an autism awareness fundraiser Friday night at Kessler's in Midland. For children like Logsdon, the estimated 400 in attendance made all the difference.
"I wished for this," Logsdon said. "I've waited for this to happen" so people would learn more about autism and want to help out.
According to the Families for Autism Support and Awareness, there is no known cause or cure for autism, which affects males by a 5:1 ratio. The disorder affects the person's socialization skills, sensory integration and communication skills.
The Autism FREEdom Foundation's mission is to provide education and financial support to autistic children 18 and younger and their families in the Permian Basin, Free said. Her two young sons, now ages 10 and 11, were both diagnosed at age 3.
Free said, according to the National Autism Society, the closest chapters of the organization near the Permian Basin are in Brownwood and Lubbock.
"There is not a resource here," Free said, adding the organization's short-term goal is to raise money by this month and build a home living skills room where autistic children can learn to become independent.
The group's long-term goal is to establish a school for autistic children in kindergarten through grade 12. So far, the organization has received about $2,000 in cash donations for the estimated $25,000 construction of the skills room.
Although her four children do not have autism, Linda Kidd knows some families, including a church member, with autistic children, her reason for supporting the event.
"I just want to help bring awareness to this community and help these kids have what we call a normal life and give the parents support and let them know they're not totally alone," Kidd said.
From mywesttexas.com