Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Lehigh and Northampton Departments of Human Services, the Lehigh Valley Autism Society, and NAMI of the Lehigh Valley, held its first Autism Walk at Saucon Park April 27.

It was an “Opportunity to bring the community together during Autism Awareness Month,” said Tom Walker, Magellan’s senior account executive for Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Magellan Communications and Community Relations Director Aubrey Proud opened the speeches, speaking about Magellan, and joking about the strong breeze.

Case Manager for Autism for Magellan Larissa Miller explained some of the many services Magellan offers, adding, “We know Autism is not one-size-fits-all.”

President of the Autism Society of the Lehigh Valley Mimi Ludwig said her organization is all about connecting families with resources here in the Lehigh Valley. She said, “The truth is many families with autistic family members feel isolated. This is where we come in.” The Society offers groups for kids, teens and adults, parent groups and affiliated art lessons.

Maggie Murphy, executive director of NAMI Lehigh Valley, said, “We know Autism is not a mental illness. However, studies suggest that over 54 percent of people with autism have a co-occurrence of a mental illness. 35 percent of adults with autism have anxiety. All of NAMI’s services are offered free of charge.” nami-lv.org/

The Keynote speaker was Dr. Karen Beck Pooley, a member of Magellan’s Autism Action Committee. Her son, Jace Pooley, is a dual enrolled student at Liberty HS and Northampton Community College. He is studying Communications and Psychology. Jace is almost 17 years old. He was first diagnosed with Autism at age two. He loves to go hiking, and has already hiked 60 percent or 1,163 miles, of the Appalachian Trail.

Of his early years, Jace said, “testing sucked.” Pooley explained there was a disconnect between what Jace already knew, and what he needed to learn.

She described his being taught what a horse was, when he already knew what a horse was. The heart of the disconnect was communication, until Jace’s hand was supported so he could write responses.

Now Jace uses an iPad to write, and he writes quickly. Some of Jace’s other favorites are music, ArtsQuest and soccer. He participates with Lehigh Valley Soccer.

Jace wrote an article about his experience as an autistic student, and it was published in the Journal of Pediatrics in January. Jace said his article took “a ton of time to write.” The editing process took weeks of submitting, and editing and submitting again. There was also a peer review.

For the Keynote speech, Dr. Pooley read Jace’s article. You can read the complete text of his article Listen Up: Autistic Youth Need to Be Heard at meaningandmybrain.net. Here is an excerpt: “Too often, nonspeakers like me don’t get to share our thoughts, even though we have lots to say.”

The Magellan Cares Foundation is an extension of Magellan, that helps to support philanthropic special projects for the betterment of the community. “The Autism Walk was inspired by Jace Pooley’s article, and his love of nature and walking,” Tom Walker said.

Participants also received bags with information about Magellan’s transition resources. There are guides for two major life transitions for students, age 3, and from high school to adulthood. For more information, visit asalehighvalley.org/ and magellanofpa.com/.