Members of Elon’s chapter of Autism Speaks U are leading efforts to educate their peers about the condition during National Autism Awareness Month.
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The floodlights that illuminate Lindner and Alamance halls are casting a bright blue glow this week as Elon University recognizes National Autism Awareness Month through a series of events including the “Light it Up Blue” campaign.
Led by members of the Autism Speaks U Elon University student group, programs also include a special College Coffee on April 3, a “Face Off for Autism” lacrosse game at Rhodes Stadium on April 15, a “Rock Out Autism” band concert at Fat Frogg’s on April 23, and an April 25 panel discussion on autism.
April 2 is also designated World Autism Awareness Day. Lights on Lindner’s cupola are blue, and a blue film was placed over the floodlights in front of Alamance building, as well as the two lights that brighten the front entrance to Powell building.
Now in its first full year as a recognized student group, Autism Speaks U Elon University counts dozens of Elon students on its rolls, many of whom have firsthand knowledge of how the condition impacts individuals and families.
The chapter has an “awareness component” to build awareness on campus and in the community; an “academic component” to engage students with the latest research, educational approaches and targeted therapies as well as showcase possible careers (i.e., music therapy, horseback therapy, etc.); a “community outreach component” that involves our students with the local schools and community programs; and an “entrepreneurial component” that focuses on employment and business opportunities for adult with autism.
An estimated 1 out of 88 American children are on the autism spectrum, “a 1,000 percent increase in the past 40 years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis,” according the national Autism Speaks organization. Since its foundation in 2005, the national organization says it has dedicated more than $173 million to research and support resources for families.
That’s in addition to simply raising awareness of autism, a brain disorder characterized by a range of social and behavioral challenges.
“As it’s become more prevalent, so many more people know someone with autism or have been affected by the condition,” said Elon junior computing sciences major Melissa Provost, a co-president of the organization. Provost’s boyfriend is a triplet; his two brothers are on the autism spectrum. “If anything we do can help even one person or family in just one way, this is successful.”
Professor Kevin O’Mara in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business advises the group. Autism has touched people in O’Mara’s life, and it was through interactions related to the condition that he saw opportunities for matching Elon students with school teachers and community advocates who would welcome their energy.
“I thought, ‘What if we could get our students involved with the lives of these kids?’” O’Mara said. “It would be great for the parents. Great for the kids. And great for Elon.”
Also troubling for O’Mara is data on post-high school employment for young adults grappling with their condition. “Only one in six autistic adults have meaningful work,” O’Mara said. “Once they graduate from high school, and only 56% do graduate, they are dropped in many ways by the established support systems. On so many levels, this is a terrible situation, particularly when many autistic individuals have the mental capability but are held back by a lack of social awareness and skills.”
Provost offered similar observations. “It’s not so much that people with autism can’t do things,” Provost said. “It’s that people don’t have the perception that they can, and that affects opportunities.”
O’Mara credits several faculty and staff members for bringing together the Autism Speaks U programs at Elon this month: Bob Willis, Stephen Byrd, Susan Wise, Gary Palin, Tom Flood and Stephen Bailey.