Buddy's Pizza Hosts Autism Awareness Day in Dearborn

Nicole West knows firsthand the many issues autistic children face in school and in life.

The teacher, who works with autistic students at Dearborn Public Schools, is hoping to spead the word about the increasingly prevalent neurological disorder during a special dinner for families at Buddy's Pizza on April 20.

The fourth annual Autism Awareness Day will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. and will feature sensory tools, environmental accommodations, visual menus, and communication prompts for children and teens.

"A lot of people have a hard time taking their family out to eat when they have a loved one who is autistic," West said. "Buddy's is taking extra steps to provide a safe, fun environment for families."

Autism is a disorder that affects neural development, which can impair communication and the way a child processes information, organizes thoughts and ideas, learns and interacts with others.

According to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms typically appear in children before they are 3 years old, and boys are four to five times more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than girls. Autism afflicts individuals equally in all racial and socioeconomic groups, with an average of 1 in every 110 children suffering with the disorder.

Dearborn schools educates about 100 autistic children within in the district, West said.

"A lot of parents are truly appreciative of this event," she said. "It gives them a chance to meet other families and exchange resources."

The event is open to all Dearborn-area families. Students do not have to be enrolled in Dearborn Public Schools to attend.

For more information, call West at 313-909-0039.