Portland, Or. Last summer walkers hit the streets together for the annual Autism Walk, but this year’s fundraiser will be a virtual live-streamed event, according to the Autism Society of Oregon. The free event, for which participants can register online, will be held online at 1 P.M. on Sunday, August 23rd. “Patterns and routines help to make sense of the world for people on the autism spectrum – they’re incredibly important. When those patterns are disrupted, it completely disrupts everything.” Executive Director Tobi Rates provided some insight into life on the spectrum, noting the impact that the disruptions to school, work, and service provisions have had on people experiencing autism: “It’s been traumatic for a lot of people, and it’s an ongoing trauma because it doesn’t look like things are going back to normal anytime soon.”
Participants in this year’s Autism Walk can send videos and photos to ASO by July 14th
Those registered can send in videos and photos of themselves walking or running in their Autism Awareness/ Acceptance T-shirt by July 14th. These will then be featured during the virtual event in a compilation video. Viewers can expect recognitions and prize-giveaways for sponsors, as well as guest appearances from Star Wars characters and a Virtual Resource Fair.
Here is a video encapsulating the details of the event:
Adapting the Autism Walk – ASO’s largest fundraiser supporting Oregon and SW Washington programs – to a virtual setting is one of the many ways the organization has been able to maintain a sense of routine for its members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants in last year’s walk sporting their awareness gear
Max’s support system celebrating at last year’s finish line
Whether participants choose to walk or run in this year’s event, they can expect the fun to be virtually limitless.
Portland, OR. 2017 was a big year for the Autism Society of Oregon. The holidays brought festive parties and throughout the year thousands of people attended community events like the following: Autism Walks in 5 locations around Oregon and a Bowl-A-Thon in Southern Oregon, plus swimming, bowling, picnics, Free Access Days at the Portland Children’s Museums, Harvest Fests, Easter Egg Hunts and 7 Autism Friendly Santa events throughout Oregon. These events allow individuals on spectrum and their families to participate more fully in their communities and to build family memories.
From Autism Society of Oregon:
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in Oregon – and the world. If you haven’t already, you will meet someone with autism.
The Autism Society of Oregon is Oregon’s leading organization providing resources, education, advocacy and support for individuals and families living with autism.
We are committed to these core principles:
• We provide services without regard to a person’s age, race, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, income level or level of need on the autism spectrum • We strongly encourage and welcome families, professionals and individuals living with autism with opportunities to participate in our governance, on our committees, and as staff members • We partner with others to advance the well-being of all living with autism • We promote individual choice and self-determination of individuals living with autism, aided by parental and guardian advocacy • We recognize a person living with autism can and should be able to maximize his/her quality of life and oppose any denial of their opportunities • We oppose any discrimination and harm directed towards individuals living with autism and their families
Coming in 2018:
Autism Walks are scheduled for:Â
Sunday, April 22: PORTLAND
Saturday, April 7: Color the Coast in Astoria
Saturday, June 16: Central Oregon in Redmond
Saturday, June 23: Color the Blues in LaGrande
Saturday, July 14: South Coast Walk in Coos Bay
and the Southern Oregon Bowl-A-Thon in Medford on Saturday, July 28
On January 11, we are co-hosting a presentation on Understanding Oregon ABLE Act Accounts. From 6:00-7:30 pm at the ASO office, 5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 400, Portland, OR 97239. For information or to RSVP, call Alisha at the Palladio Group at 503-928-4081 or click here to email.
Thanks to support from RACC (Regional Arts and Culture Council) and City of Portland Special Appropriations Grant, we will continue our Free Expressions Art Workshops for adults on spectrum on the 3rd Sunday of each month, with an art show planned soon.
In March 2018, the “SHUT UP SISTERS” will be presenting in Seaside and in Portland. Come hear sisters Patty and Gina celebrate the humor, joy and triumphs of raising “imperfect kids” in a perfection-obsessed world. Join their Movement of Imperfection! Presented in collaboration with Swindell’s Resource Center.
Workshops on Autism and Puberty (for parents!) are planned in Gresham (Feb. 17), in Coos Bay (March 10), in Florence (March 11), in Redmond, OR (April 27) and in Roseburg (June 23). More dates and locations to be announced. Presenters are ASO Board members Marci Hammel and Lauren Corder.
and much more….
More information on these events will be on our Events Calendar (click here), or contact the ASO office at 503-636-1676 (toll-free: 888-288-4761) or click here to e-mail.Â
Thank you for your support of the autism community in 2017!
If you haven’t had a chance to make a year-end tax-deductible donation, there’s still time! Please consider donating to help fund these great programs in 2017
 All of the money we raise stays in Oregon and SW Wash, with over 80% spent  directly on programs.
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