All in for Autism on Sunday to benefit Bellevue organizations | My Turn

Published 1:00 pm Friday, April 22, 2016

The Bellevue Breakfast Rotary’s All in for Autism Run is more than just a fun way for the whole family to get outside and be active together; it’s also an opportunity for our community to come together in support of children with autism.

This year, we at Kindering are fortunate to receive proceeds from the event, which will go to support children with autism and other disabilities, as well as their families.

Founded in 1962 by five Eastside mothers of children with special needs, Kindering has grown to the largest early intervention center in the Northwest, serving more than 4,000 children and families each year from two campuses: Bellevue and Bothell.

Kindering offers a wide range of services for young children with special needs and their families, including an innovative program that provides specialized support to ensure young children with autism can reach their full potential.

According to the latest CDC report, the number of children diagnosed with autism is increasing — 1 in 68 children are currently affected. Our unique Communication, Understanding, Behavior, Socialization (CUBS), program was developed in response to this staggering statistic. By tailoring services to each child’s individual needs, interests and strengths and employing family-focused strategies, the program not only builds the foundation for children to succeed in a school environment, but also provides the support they need to thrive.

Along with the rise in the number of diagnoses, recent years have brought advances in early identification of autism, which can now be diagnosed in children as young as eight to 10 months. 85 percent of brain development occurs in a child’s first three years of life, early treatment ensures children with autism make optimal progress.

With that in mind, Kindering has expanded our CUBS program to ensure that more children can receive evaluations, enter the program, and receive impactful services at a time when the most potential for life-altering impact exists. The money raised at the All in for Autism Run will help Kindering in this endeavor, allowing more families access to these services during the critical early years and helping to ensure their children make optimal progress.

I am always struck by the hope and possibility families gain or maintain during their time at Kindering.

Our special educators and therapists are there for families in the midst of fear and uncertainty, providing a pathway to growth and development and offering the care and support necessary for hope to take root.

Thanks to the support of the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club and all those who participate in the All in for Autism Run, even more families will find a place at Kindering, and with that the knowledge that their child will have the support they need to reach their full potential.

To learn more about Kindering, make a donation to support children with disabilities or find volunteer information, visit us online at www.kindering.org.

All in for Autism 10k/5k

This Sunday, April 24, thousands will lace up their shoes to race in the “All in for Autism” run and walk.

Sponsored by the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, the run/walk will raise money for the Seattle Children’s Autism Center and Kindering.

Additional funding will go toward Rotary projects that benefit children and families on the Eastside.

The run will start for the 10-kilometer race at 8 a.m., followed by the 5-kilometer race at 8:30 a.m. and the Kids Dash will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Registration begins at 6:45 a.m. the day of the race, which will begin and end at Bellevue Downtown Park.

For the 10k race, runners will loop around Mercer Slough and back up into Downtown.

More information on the run can be found at www.AllInForAutism.org.

Kayleigh Williams is the development associate for Kindering in Bellevue.