Autism Awareness Month in Kansas is marked by statewide events, educational conferences, and community outreach aimed at raising awareness, supporting families, and promoting inclusion.
Key Local Events
Autism Society – The Heartland (ASH): Based in Overland Park, ASH hosts community events such as the A.W.A.R.E Social Outing, Sensory Santa, and the 9th Annual 5k/1k Fun Run Swing Fore a Cause. They also organize fundraising tournaments like the 4‑Person Scramble Golf Tournament www.asaheartland.org.
Kansas Autism Conference: Held in Topeka, this annual event brings together autism professionals, caregivers, and educators. The 2024 conference, organized by Easterseals Midwest and Caresource, sold out quickly and featured the launch of the Caregiver Skills Training (CST) program — a free, nine‑week virtual course for caregivers in Kansas and Missouri with children aged 2–9 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder KSNT News.
Educational & Support Resources
University of Kansas Autism Resources: The Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K‑CART) provides information on autism, early screening (recommended at 18, 24, and 30 months), and diagnostic services. The KU Medical Center in Kansas City is the state’s primary autism diagnostic facility, offering screenings and full evaluations. Parent and provider training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is also available autism.ku.edu.
Wichita Area: Wesley Care Physicians offers autism evaluations; Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, MO, can help schedule screenings autism.ku.edu.
How to Get Involved
Attend or Sponsor Events: Join ASH’s social outings, golf tournaments, or the Kansas Autism Conference.
Participate in Training: Enroll in free programs like CST to gain skills for supporting children with autism.
Seek Professional Help: Contact local autism diagnostic centers or resource centers for screenings and support services.
Spread Awareness: Share information about autism, early detection, and inclusion in your community.
For more details, visit the Autism Society – The Heartland website or the University of Kansas Autism Resources page, and check local event calendars for upcoming Kansas Autism Awareness Month activities.
Autism Awareness Month
Goals of Autism Awareness Month
- Education: Promote knowledge about autism and the experiences of those on the spectrum.
- Acceptance: Foster a more inclusive society for individuals with autism.
- Support: Highlight the importance of resources and support for families and individuals affected by autism.
Ways to Get Involved
- Share Information: Use social media to share facts and resources about autism.
- Participate in Events: Join local events or virtual activities that promote autism awareness.
- Wear Blue: Show your support by wearing blue on World Autism Awareness Day, April 2nd.
Resources
- Autism Speaks: autismspeaks.org
- National Autism Association: nationalautismassociation.org
Let’s take this opportunity to embrace neurodiversity and advocate for those with autism in our communities!