Brookhaven Hosts Autism Awareness Event

Diane Cahill, president of The Autism Coalition of Long Island, spoke last week at a Town of Brookhaven Autism Awareness Month event.

She spoke of how the illness typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime and that it’s the fastest growing developmental disability in the world. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one out of every 110 children are diagnosed with autism; it’s more common than pediatric AIDS, cancer and diabetes combined, according to Cahill.

Cahill addressed the group at Brookhaven Town Hall for her program, entitled “Light It Up Blue," where Brookhaven literally lit up the auditorium in the color with blue floodlights. 

The evening included performances by the Players Platinum Explosion Jazz Ensemble and their rendition of “The Season of Love” from the musical RENT.

In addition to comments from Supervisor Mark Lesko, councilmembers  Kathleen Walsh, Dan Panico and Connie Kepert spoke. Kepert, a special education teacher, discussed autism and other disabilities.

Two parents of autistic children also gave personal  reflections in the course of the evening.  Keith Ray talked about his autistic 9-year old and how they were lucky enough to detect the situation very early. Joan Hempton shared stories about her 20-year old autistic son and how Brookhaven Town’s special programs benefited both her and her offspring. She especially singled out the Town’s Special Needs Camp.

“I can’t tell you what that did for us,” she said.

In his concluding comments, Lesko expressed a hope that the evening “increased in some small way their (residents) awareness of what autism is.”