Video: Autism Center of North Mississippi Fills A Big Need

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. Many buildings and landmarks are bathed in blue lights, and people are wearing blue , to mark the campaign, called “Light It Up Blue.”
Autism Awareness Day provides an opportunity for the only autism center in the area to educate others about its services and how families dealing with the disability are given tools to cope and overcome. WCBI’s Allie Martin has more.

Two times each week, Jennifer Hedges brings her 7 year old son to the Autism Center of North Mississippi.

When John Thomas was about two and a half, Jennifer noticed her son was withdrawn and not communicating like other kids his age. He was diagnosed with autism. It’s a developmental deficiency impacting social and language skills and it affects 1 in every 68 children.

“It truly takes a village to help these children,” Hedges said.

A key component of that village for many families is the Autism Center of North Mississippi. The non profit was founded six years ago, and allows children to receive one on one therapy. Families are charged only what they can afford.

“We’ve had sixty kids on our waiting list for the last six years,” said Brittany Cuevas, director of business development and administration and says having a day set aside for Autism Awareness is vital to the non profit’s mission.

“We want Tupelo to know , to be proud of the autism center and to help us go to the next level,” Cuevas said.

The Autism Center is selling blue t shirts, to raise money, and awareness, along with blue wrist bands.

Jennifer Hedges is all for Autism Awareness Day. She believes a little education will go a long way for the general public.

“When you come across a child with autism, it seems like , at times they could be socially scrutinized, and as a mother of a child with autism, it breaks your heart. Just because they behave differently from other children, they’re like anyone else. They want to be loved, they want to be included and they’re doing the best they can with what they’ve got,” Hedges said.

Both women encourage people to learn all they can about autism, then find ways to help and support those who are aware of autism, on a daily basis. .

Cuevas says the new special education law signed by Governor Phil Bryant will allow the Autism Center to provide more therapy each week for children with autism. Also, the autism center is having a 5 k april 18th.

www.autismcenternms.com