DAVIS – Tucker County Rotary members learned about the WV Autism Supportive Center as well as Autism Awareness Month during their Wednesday meeting. Angie Shockley, Board President for the WV Autism Supportive Center said the Center is a 501c3 in the state with the purpose of bringing awareness to the needs of adults with autism. She said the group is raising funds to support a self-sustaining community in Elkins where adults with autism can live independently with minimal support and develop a meaningful life with a purpose.
Shockley said currently, 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism, a statistic that has remained the same since 2014. In 2007, 1 in 127 children were diagnosed with autism.
She said there are lots of services and resources available for children with autism however there are few services for adults with autism once they age out of the state and federal system at age 18.
Shockley said April is Autism Awareness Month and said there are activities throughout the state and the country to raise awareness and funding for continued research into the causes and treatment of autism.
Additional information about the WV Autism Supportive Center is available on Facebook.
