So this week we've sent out more than a few e-mails about the upcoming Walk & Run, as you can imagine we're pretty busy pulling it all together, and sweating the weather reports. I've been around for 19 of the walks and I'm sharing with newer staff that we had a strange habit in the eary days of the event of raising more money when it rained for walk day. Let's hope that is the case this year! The show goes on rain or shine and I hope you won't let a little rain keep you from coming. Umbrellas and raincoats & boots will get us through. Given all we cope with living with autism a little rain shouldn't stop us!
May is Mental Health Month.
About one half of individuals diagnosed with autism will have a co ocurring mental health disorder. The impact of living with a sibling on the spectrum increases the odds of a neurotypical child developing anxiety and other mental health issues. Many times mental health disorders firts appear during the teen years. So as parents it is importatnt that we understand, and be able to know when and how to intervene and when to seek help. This month we will offer a two night workshop, Youth Mental Health First Aid, which will train participants to recognize early warning signs of difficulty and how to distinguish from normal teen age angst. This course is available to parents AND professionals who work with youth. Please share with coaches, scout leaders and people in your faith community who work with adolescents. This is an opportunity to increase understanding and capacity in our area.
Hoping to see many of you this weekend.
Sue
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