Sheldon, Iowa — As many know, April is Autism Awareness Month. While there have been several opportunities to show support in the area, Friday highlighted a rather creative one.
Village Northwest Unlimited, a facility in Sheldon that serves adults with a variety of disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), hosted a coloring contest allowing individuals to express their creative side, with entries accepted until this past Friday, April 20th. Judging took place at 3:00 pm on Friday, and judges KayCee, Sam, and Ryan hard time narrowing it down to just one winner, so they decided on a top three pick this year.
“We think it is critically important to continue increasing awareness of Autism, and especially how we can help individuals transitioning from adolescence into adulthood” says Ryan Haack, Director of Development. (ASD) is the general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with ASD. Over the next decade, a growing number of individuals with ASD will be transitioning toward the need for adult services and supports.
For more information about Autism services offered at Village Northwest Unlimited, including their PEERS program, you contact Ryan Groeneweg at 712-324-5417.
This year’s winning coloring contest entries can be viewed below.
