Grab Tickets Now For The Autism Acceptance Gala in Rochester, MN!

When my kids were younger, I remember going to visit their school on parent night.  Kids were excitedly showing off their latest art project, they pulled out the books that they had been working on in class, and they'd proudly sit in the seat that is in front of their name.

This high-energy moment always left me in awe of one thing...the huge number of kids in a room that one teacher has to manage.  As the kids got older, the number of kids in a room grew and there were a several rooms where I'd see 36 desks jammed in a classroom.

36 kids.

Autism Impacts 1 in 36 Kids in Rochester, Minnesota

 

Dear Mom Who Just Got Your Child’s Autism Diagnosis,

 

Sweet mama, it’s okay to feel however you feel, and it’s okay for those feelings to change day by day and even hour by hour. One minute you might be relieved that after the hours and days or even months spent fighting for your special needs child, someone finally started listening. The next you might feel stressed over all of the new responsibilities that come with autism.

 

You might feel ready to tackle the world one day and the next be ready to give up on everything. All of it is okay to feel, I promise. We all go through all of these waves. The crazy swings of feelings calms down a bit as you go along, but there will always be days where you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and ready to give up.

 

- Kaylene (read the rest of the letter on her blog here)

The clip of raw emotions and challenges listed above are happening right here in Southeast Minnesota.  Autism impacts 1 in 36 kids in Rochester, Minnesota.  Of those, 40% are non-speaking.

One organization in Rochester, Minnesota, is here to help: the RT Autism Awareness Foundation. They are inviting you to a special night where our community can come together to show support, learn more, and enjoy the amazing band, Incognito.

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Grab Tickets Now for the 14th Annual Gala for Autism Acceptance in Rochester, Minnesota

The entire community is invited to join the RT Autism Awareness Foundation at its annual gala on February 15th, 2024.

• WHEN:  February 15th, 2025
• WHERE: Rochester Golf & Country Club
• WHAT TO EXPECT:  Join others as the lives of autistic individuals and their families are lifted up.  Show your support and help create a future where acceptance is the norm and where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered.
• GRAB TICKETS NOW:  This event usually sells out.  Grab your ticket to show your support here.

By showing your support, you are helping the RT Autism Awareness Foundation continue to provide the following for families in our area:

• Education: RTAAF provides a 12-week educational program for parents and caregivers of children with a new autism diagnosis. This group is offered free of charge to participants.

• Advocacy: RTAAF’s mission is to advocate for a society in which children and adults with autism have every opportunity they need to succeed. This includes opportunities in education, health care and mental health care, employment, training, and independence.

• Community: RTAAF builds a supportive and positive community for individuals who are on the autism spectrum and their families. Scholarships for adaptive camps and family education programs are provided, as well as recreational opportunities for families and children in the community.

• Project Lifesaver: By forming partnerships with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and Rochester Police Department, RTAAF and Project Lifesaver deploy specially trained teams with the most reliable technology available to quickly locate and return wandering adults and children to their families and caregivers. Project Lifesaver teams are specially trained, not only in search and rescue and the use of electronic tracking equipment but also in the methods necessary to communicate with a person who has Autism or a related disorder. The person who is located may be disoriented, anxious, and untrusting. The Project Lifesaver team is trained on how to approach the individual, gain their trust, and put them at ease for the trip home.

Learn more, buy tickets to the gala, or give online at the RT Autism Awareness Foundation website.

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