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Super awareness

Times Observer photo by Lorri Drumm A group of attendees at World Autism Awareness Day try to follow garbled commands as they play Simon Says at the event on Tuesday. The activity was meant to portray the challenges faced by those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The event took place at the Days Inn on Ludlow Street in Warren on Tuesday.

Most of us have played Simon Says. Who can’t recall the humiliation as you raise your hands when Simon didn’t say so.

Imagine trying to follow instructions while trying to hear Simon through a jumble of static and just as you’re about to hear what to do — or not do — next, there’s no sound.

A group of people attending World Autism Awareness Day on Tuesday experienced uncertainty and frustration as they played along. The activity was done to give people a sense of what it can be like to live with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The second annual event was held at the Days Inn on Ludlow Street in Warren on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Approximately 12 organizations that provide services and resources were on site. Speakers provided information and guided activities throughout the event.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a brain disorder that starts early in life. It affects social communication and interaction and is accompanied by repeating the narrow patterns of behavior or interests.

Times Observer photo by Lorri Drumm The Youth Connection superheroes and princesses attended World Autism Awareness Day at the Days Inn on Ludlow Street in Warren on Tuesday. The group of high school students volunteer more than 400 hours each year attending community events.

As Amy Tobolski, of Milestone HCQU Northwest, ended the Simon Says activity she asked those in attendance if they had difficulty following directions and/or wanted to give up. There was a collective agreement that the activity was both frustrating and distracting.

“That’s what it can be like for those on the autism spectrum,” Tobolski said. “When they’re not getting information from their environment, it’s too hard to figure out what to do, so they give up.”

“For people with autism, the problem is not with the sensory organ,” Tobolski said. “The problem occurs with the way the brain processes the sensory input.”

Tobolski then asked Milestone Nurse Tim Juliano to tell the crowd a story. With no prior knowledge of what he was to do, Juliano was instructed to tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood without using any words that contain the letter “n.”

After some thought, Juliano told the crowd, “I have trouble remember how it goes.”

He continued: “Little Red Hood came to wolf, said, ‘What big eyes you got.’ Wolf — ‘all the better to see you with.’ Little Red Hood came to wolf, said, ‘What big teeth you got.’ Wolf — ‘all the better to eat you with.’ Wolf had supper.

As the laughter died down, Tobolski asked if anyone got distracted by trying to focus on whether Juliano was using any words that contain the letter “n.” Some admitted they did.

“Sometimes people on the spectrum focus on that little detail,” Tobolski said. “They forget the bigger picture.”

Following the activities, Cecelia Hollands, clinical services supervisor with the Barber Behavioral Health Institute spoke about diagnosis, symptoms and treating ASD.

“There is no known cause,” Hollands said. “It is also four times more likely to occur in boys as opposed to girls.” Hollands added that statistic may be because it is generally more difficult to spot in young girls.

Hollands told the crowd that kids on the spectrum have unique needs and we’ve come a long way in recognizing that. She advised anyone in need to seek professional help. “Seeking help is a strength, not a weakness,” she said.

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