ROCKINGHAM — The Autism Society of North Carolina’s Richmond County chapter will be hosting its fifth annual Strike Out Autism event from 6-9 p.m. Monday, June 15 at Striker’s Bowling Center.
Local residents can join the bowling event by registering in advance or coming to the event. The cost is $10 per person, $50 for a team of five and $50 for lane sponsorships. The Richmond Service League members are assisting the chapter with this event.
All proceeds will benefit the society’s Richmond County chapter, which helps children and families living with autism to enjoy a normal life. Funds from this event will be used to send Richmond County children on the autism spectrum to Camp Royall.
Located near Pittsboro, Camp Royall houses the nation’s oldest and largest summer camp program for people on the autism spectrum, year-round programs and a wide variety of other functions and services throughout the year. In 2013, more than 1,100 people participated in Camp Royall programs.
Autism spectrum disorder is the second-most-common developmental disability following intellectual disability. ASD is more common than childhood cancer, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis combined. It is estimated that up to 1 out of every 68 children born today has some form of ASD.
Evidence suggests that the prevalence rate in North Carolina is even higher than the national average, at 1 in 58. It is estimated that roughly 1.5 million Americans (children and adults) have ASD today, and that more than 15 million Americans (loved ones, caregivers, educators, and health care professionals) are directly affected by the disorder. In the state of North Carolina alone, there are more than 60,000 individuals living with ASD.
Individuals with ASD typically have difficulty understanding verbal and nonverbal communication and learning appropriate ways of relating to other people, objects and events. No two people with ASD are the same. As its name implies, ASD is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently and with varying degrees of severity. Additionally, ASD is often found in combination with other disabilities.
“With the generous support of our community, we will be able to help many of these families and individuals not only to meet essential daily needs, but to work toward a brighter future with programs, educational assistance and other needs,” Richmond County chapter co-leader Emily Tucker said in a release.
For more information on how your donation is helping to make a difference visit the society’s website at www.autismsociety-nc.org or contact your local chapter.
For more information, call Tucker at 910-334-1363.