ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Families from across the region came together for the second annual Autism Community Walk, hosted by Magellan Healthcare, to promote autism acceptance. The event featured a variety of activities, including speeches from special guests, a community walk, and opportunities for families to connect with local resources.
Julio Hernandez attended the event with his family in custom-made shirts to show support for his brother, Sebastian, who is on the autism spectrum. Hernandez shared that events like these offer valuable networking opportunities for families looking for support and resources.
“I think as far as events like this, they’re great networking opportunities to look at the resources and different types of support groups,” Hernandez said.
The event began with speeches focusing on autism acceptance and the resources available for families. Magellan Healthcare highlighted a range of programs based on best practices to help families navigating life with autism.
Thomas Walker, Senior Account Executive for Magellan Healthcare, emphasized the importance of community involvement. He mentioned that local organizations and police attended to show their support for the event.
“Today is about creating connections for families who need to know they are not alone,” Walker said.
After the speeches, participants began the walk, which featured several mini stations where attendees could collect items and write words of affirmation for autism acceptance.
Sebastian enjoyed walking around the park while Stacy and her mother, Mimi Ludwig, painted rocks, one of their favorite activities. Mimi expressed gratitude for events like this, which help support families and individuals in the community.
“There’s really not enough groups and activities and parent support groups out there to help people navigate what they need to do and how they can help be their best self,” Mimi said.
Walker is hopeful that the third annual walk will continue the momentum, bringing even more families together next year.