April is National Autism Awareness Month and one Union County resident, Betty Morgan, is planning an event to help spread information and awareness about resources available to people with autism and their loved ones.
Morgan’s Autism Awareness Resource Fair is centered around the theme “Living Happy and Healthy” and is set for April 24 at Smackover City Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“I have a son who is autistic myself and I’ve always had the desire to do autism awareness events. We’re trying to pull together different providers who offer services to people with autism,” Morgan said.
Organizations and health care providers such as Arkansas Rehabilitation Clinic and Project Search will be on hand to inform on services such as respite care, learning intervention, transitional services, nutrition and physical exercise and many other topics.
Morgan extended thanks to autism awareness activist Wyletta Johnson, head of the Autistic Voyage organization, for help in organizing the fair.
Morgan said that homelessness is a topic she is looking to spread awareness about.
“I also want to definitely point out that a lot people that become homeless are special needs. We’ll have Sabrina King from the New Creations Life Center, who can point out things we can look at on front end to help prevent homelessness,” Morgan said.
The central concept behind the fair, Morgan said, is to help make resource information available to caregivers and, more broadly, to help people in the community learn more about autism.
“The whole idea is to bring it all together so people can ask questions. I’ve asked the presenters to talk for about ten minutes about what they offer, and most will also have handouts,” Morgan said.
Some of the providers will have tables set up for the fair, while some will just have representatives present.
According to a flyer for the fair, it will feature “music, free food, door prizes and a special presentation.”
In the case of rain, the event will instead be held at 109 W 8th Street in Smackover.