Walking for Autism

Carol McClellan, '78, whose son, Zachary, is autistic, is walking to raise money to help find a cure. (Click on Carol's name to read her story.)

According to the Autism Society of America (ASA) "autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills." 

Karen Rogg Rehbok (80), another one of our WHS 75-80 members, has two children who are autistic. Click on her name to read her "after Wagner" story and what it's like to be a mother of two autistic children.

The ASA also says on its website that "based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade...Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family and any child."

While genetics may play a role in autism, there remains a lot of research that needs to take place in order to determine if a cure might be possible. If you'd like to contribute towards the search for an autism cure, please click here to sponsor Carol McClellan's charity walk for autism. Any amount would be welcomed and greatly appreciated.