Run in Ridley Creek State Park aids voices of the autistic
Having an autistic child can require significant adjustments to a family’s daily life. After Kim York’s family got used to a routine that includes therapy sessions for her 8-year-old son, she said she wanted to do something to “really benefit the lives of individuals with autism — on a larger scale.”
That was three years ago.
Since then, York has been organizing the annual Delco 5K Run/Walk for Autism Speaks at Ridley Creek State park. This year it will be Sept. 13, with registration at 9 a.m. and the race starting an hour later.
York said she researched possible beneficiaries to see who could put the event’s proceeds to the best use.
“We researched Autism Speaks and felt like they were funding some really good research, and we think that’s kind of key — getting information on causes and possible treatments, we can make the lives of all of our kids better. [Autism Speaks] doesn’t promote any particular type of intervention, but looks into potential causes. There is a lot of speculation about environmental things, vaccines and foods.”
York said there are more questions than answers when it comes to autism, and that’s frustrating.
“We’ve tried a lot of different things, and it’s really hard to determine which one is working and which one is not, because we do a lot of them at the same time,” York said. “You don’t want to waste any time. Early intervention is the key.”
Her son, Dean, was diagnosed at 18 months, and she’s thankful it was so early.
What’s really helped her son make progress was a therapy called the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based model (DIR). The therapy, also known as Floortime, was created by Washington, D.C.-based child psychiatrist Stanley Greenspan.
If this therapy worked well for York’s son, maybe it will work well for someone else with autism. That’s the idea of the 5K. In addition to raising money for research, York said she wants the event to be something of a networking session for families that have children with autism.
Families at the event can discuss what has worked for them, and what has not. Several companies will be at the run-walk, also, handing out literature on the products and services they offer regarding autism.
“Most of the people who ran [in previous years] were not parents of kids with autism, but we really would like to get more parents of kids with autism out, because we’re doing a resource fair,” York said.
The inaugural 5K brought in $3,100 for Autism Speaks.
“The first time, I got the idea in the springtime, and I thought, ‘There’s no way I can pull this off,’” York said, adding that the director of her son’s preschool, a marathon runner, inspired her to make it happen.
York said after the first 5K, she got hooked on running and planning the event. The following year, the event brought in more runners, about 120 of them, but slightly less money — the result of hiring a company to keep track of run-times. York also let a lot of young cross-country runners participate for free.
The cost is $15 to run or walk. There will be a DJ to keep people entertained, and the trail will feature facts about autism.
York is a runner, but said she won’t be participating in the 5K; overseeing the event will keep her occupied on race day.
For more information, e-mail Kim York at danyork@comcast.net or visit www.runtheday.com.
That was three years ago.
Since then, York has been organizing the annual Delco 5K Run/Walk for Autism Speaks at Ridley Creek State park. This year it will be Sept. 13, with registration at 9 a.m. and the race starting an hour later.
York said she researched possible beneficiaries to see who could put the event’s proceeds to the best use.
“We researched Autism Speaks and felt like they were funding some really good research, and we think that’s kind of key — getting information on causes and possible treatments, we can make the lives of all of our kids better. [Autism Speaks] doesn’t promote any particular type of intervention, but looks into potential causes. There is a lot of speculation about environmental things, vaccines and foods.”
York said there are more questions than answers when it comes to autism, and that’s frustrating.
“We’ve tried a lot of different things, and it’s really hard to determine which one is working and which one is not, because we do a lot of them at the same time,” York said. “You don’t want to waste any time. Early intervention is the key.”
Her son, Dean, was diagnosed at 18 months, and she’s thankful it was so early.
What’s really helped her son make progress was a therapy called the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based model (DIR). The therapy, also known as Floortime, was created by Washington, D.C.-based child psychiatrist Stanley Greenspan.
If this therapy worked well for York’s son, maybe it will work well for someone else with autism. That’s the idea of the 5K. In addition to raising money for research, York said she wants the event to be something of a networking session for families that have children with autism.
Families at the event can discuss what has worked for them, and what has not. Several companies will be at the run-walk, also, handing out literature on the products and services they offer regarding autism.
“Most of the people who ran [in previous years] were not parents of kids with autism, but we really would like to get more parents of kids with autism out, because we’re doing a resource fair,” York said.
The inaugural 5K brought in $3,100 for Autism Speaks.
“The first time, I got the idea in the springtime, and I thought, ‘There’s no way I can pull this off,’” York said, adding that the director of her son’s preschool, a marathon runner, inspired her to make it happen.
York said after the first 5K, she got hooked on running and planning the event. The following year, the event brought in more runners, about 120 of them, but slightly less money — the result of hiring a company to keep track of run-times. York also let a lot of young cross-country runners participate for free.
The cost is $15 to run or walk. There will be a DJ to keep people entertained, and the trail will feature facts about autism.
York is a runner, but said she won’t be participating in the 5K; overseeing the event will keep her occupied on race day.
For more information, e-mail Kim York at danyork@comcast.net or visit www.runtheday.com.
