Edmondson’s day job is as Hope Public Schools’ Educational Examiner, in which she now does testing for autism. But recently she began Spectrum of Light for the support of those with autism and their caregivers. “Our mission is to advocate for community support, share resources and empower each autism stakeholder on their journey in order to thrive in our community,” she said.
One in 36 children have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Edmondson said, and the cause is still a matter of debate. “The causes of autism is not known yet. They're coming up with different things, the diet, genetics and all that, but I don't think they've proven yet what really causes a person to be autistic,” Edmondson said. She explained that the effects of Autism Spectrum Disorder often limit the ability to communicate with others, but that those with the disorder often are quite intellectually advanced.
To the audience of Lions members and guests who regularly open their meetings with an invocation and prayers for the families of sick or recently passed relatives, Edmondson said, “We are here to ask for your support. Either volunteering or if you do have some extra funds that you could allow us to use. We have our little list right here of things we would use those for. If you choose not to, you can just keep us in prayer. I heard a lot of prayer today here. And I like that.”
Edmondson then outlined planned activities for Spectrum of Light members which include parent and caregiver support meetings once a month at Hope’s First Presbyterian Church, making a float for the Christmas Parade, family outings to area parks, Magic Springs and Zoo tickets to families, reaching out to other counties and educating the community about Autism Spectrum Disorder. A 5K relay is planned to observe Autism Awareness month this coming April.
Members of Spectrum of Light have benefitted from the services of Angie Bobo and Verronica McColley, both of whom are behavior specialists, Edmondson said.
Chris McColley, former police officer, a member of Spectrum, husband of Verronica McColley and parent of an adult with autiwm, spoke at this point, saying the problem in society today is that too often those with autism are placed in isolation, because “we don’t know how to deal with them,” but that with the right kind of attention from professionals, those with autism can thrive.
He told about his 25-year-old son who went from low functioning to high functioning and now holds a job and is particularly valued by his employer. “My wife worked with him tirelessly. He's driving. He went from not being able to drive, not being able to interact with anybody. He drives, he has a job, which he's never missed a day. His work calls and tells him, ‘Hey, you need to take off.’ But he's so dedicated, because that's how they [are].”
McColley said because of the way autism affects the personality, his son is kind, straight-to-the-point and loyal, but this can be taken advantage of by others. Their phone conversations can be rather laconic. “I hate calling him on the phone. ‘Hi Dad. Bye Dad.’ That’s usually all I get from him. You just have to work at it.”
Referring to older adults with autism with whom his wife has worked, McColley said, “They're in their 60s, 70s. And they have been sitting there. It breaks your heart. They've been sitting there for 30 and 40 years in a home, not being able to communicate with anybody, just getting fed food, frustrated. And my wife goes in and works. And she's worked for a short period of time. Just in a little bit of short time they're speaking, they're communicating, they're getting a quality life, things they missed out on.” McColley added that it was unfortunate that more people with autism could not be reached this way, but that Spectrum of Light hopes to reach more.
In working with people with autism, McColley made clear the importance of setting up a structure. He also said in the future Spectrum will want to reach out to local law enforcement to help their officers better understand how to deal with those with autism during traffic stops and other encounters. He recounted working with Project Lifesaver while he was a police officer in Texas to change outcomes there.
Past Lions President and Professor at the University of Arkansas System Southwest Research and Extension Center Charles Looney suggested the use of bumper stickers, like those used in Europe, to indicate when drivers may have autism. He also asked how early autism can be detected in a child now. Pam Edmondson answered this could be done at three years old, emphasizing that they can be taught from that age as well.
Edmondson said currently Spectrum of Light represents five or six families. To learn more about the group, contact her at [email protected].
