April marks Autism Awareness Month

DELMARVA – While everyone is focusing on COVID-19, the Special Olympics of Delaware is also trying to raise awareness for something else: autism awareness month.

We’re told the month is all about celebrating and advocating for those diagnosed with autism. Jon Buzby with Special Olympics of Delaware tells 47 ABC that while the organization had to cancel their events for the upcoming months, they’ve transitioned to more virtual challenges for their athletes to participate in with their own families at home. Buzby says that, while this isn’t ideal, seeing the athletes adapt to a new way of life has been encouraging.

“They’ve proven again that they are resilient, and that they can overcome any obstacle, any challenge, and they really do inspire us with their optimistic view of things,” he said.

Buzby adds that, for some people diagnosed with autism, routine is important to their well-being. That’s why he’s been encouraging families with autistic children to keep as much of a routine as possible.

“Try to maintain a schedule, and sometimes that means you change up the schedule, but then once you do change it, you try to keep to that routine and you don’t make drastic changes all at once,” Buzby suggested.

For more information on how you can get involved with virtual challenges, you can visit the Special Olympics of Delaware’s website.