10th Annual Autism Walk Set for Saturday
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on April 24, 2025
The Corridor Chapter of the Autism Society –WV (ASWV) will have i’s 10th annual Autism Walk on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Clarksburg City Park in Nutter Fort.
Historically, attendance at the walk has been 200 to 500 people depending on the weather. The event will help close out National Autism Awareness Month locally.
The walk supports families affected by autism and brings family, friends and the community together. The event will feature a DJ, crafts, bounce house and slide, activities and information on therapies and services available for autism in our area. Many families come as “teams” showing support for their family members with autism.
The Corridor Chapter ASWV group whose families are located in Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Taylor, Doddridge, Taylor and Lewis Counties has over 225 registered families. With the prevalence of autism continuing to increase, the group provides educational, social and emotional support to ASD families.
“It is exciting that we have done this event – the walk – for 10 years and that our group has continued to support ASD families and grow. What we love about this event is that everyone is welcome to attend. The walk is set up to be a fun family event, “ said Lea Robinson, Corridor Chapter president.
“A lot of people do not understand autism or what services are available. Hopefully families affected by autism that are not part of our group can come and get some great information. A lot of times family members approach us for more information to share, “ she said. “In addition to ASD families, we hope that the community will also come and continue to support us.”
With the CDC estimating that the current prevalence of autism in the United States at 1 in every 36 births, if not more prevalent, awareness of this complex disability by the general public is a critical element to enable persons with autism to lead productive and self-sufficient lives. With the increase in individuals being diagnosed with autism, everyone either knows or interacts with individuals with autism.
The Corridor Chapter is a volunteer 501c (3) organization. Some of the group’s activities include family education, sensory movies, family swims, bowling, baseball games and an annual swim challenge with the Fairmont State University Swim Team. The chapter tries to find activities throughout the year to cover all of the age groups from pre-school to adult so that families can pick and choose which activities to participate in.
“In addition to education,” said Robinson, “the idea behind the Corridor Chapter is to provide a supportive, accepting environment and activities for families affected by autism. A lot of the things we do together, families may not consider doing by themselves. It helps them expand what they might do and can improve the quality of their family life.”
For more information, contact corridorchapterwv@gmail.com or call Carol Giles at 304-377-4917.
