TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – The mission of Avenues for Autism is to expand opportunities to enrich the lives of people affected by the disorder. That happens in a number of different ways. And there was a big event on Wednesday to help make all that possible.
The organization has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of support to people with autism and their families.
It’s all possible in large part through a special fund that helps fill the gap for services that may not be covered by insurance or grants. The help can be everything from equipment and camps to speech and occupational therapy.
Cassandra Pickett’s 11-year-old son, Owen, was diagnosed with autism two years ago.
“To have those people who support you, to know there are resources out there to help your child, that means a lot. Without this, where would my child be? I don’t want to think about that,” Pickett said.
Pickett said Avenues for Autism has been a lifeline. Through the organization, Owen is able to take part in recreational therapy at a farm in Temperance.
“Being able to bring him to Bay Creek Farm has helped him grow. He has chores at home now and he does karate. Those are things I never thought were possible two years ago. Avenues has opened doors to let Owen thrive,” Pickett said.
“Horses can help children with autism and other disabilities because they can be that non-biased intervention that helps us communicate. I can’t quite articulate it, but it’s magical. There are things horses can bring out of kids that I can’t bring out of them,” Jessica Krueger, the owner and head recreational therapist at Bay Creek Farm, said.
“Watching individuals grow and see opportunities they didn’t think were possible, it’s just amazing. We basically provide resources to families that need supports whether it be financial, counseling, social groups, life skills, you name it,” Stacy Harper, the executive director of Avenues for Autism, said. “The cost for raising a child with autism is unimaginable. It is way more than people realize. Sometimes it is more than $150,000 just for the early intervention programs and insurance doesn’t cover a lot. Being able to help in some small way is so meaningful.”
The Suzanne Tyner Autism Fund has provided more than $200,000 in financial assistance since 2018.
If you’d like to learn more about the help available through Avenues for Autism, or if you’d like to donate, click here.
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This article was published by WTVG on 2025-04-23 18:28:00
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