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AUSTINTOWN -- The Autism Society of the Mahoning Valley presented this year's Mike Hull Memorial Family Mini-Grants to 15 families at its annual Holiday Autism Family Christmas Party and Gift Presentation on Sunday at Stacy Pavilion at Austintown Township Park.
The grants were divided among applicants looking for ways to enhance and improve their young child or teenager's communication skills, playtime and overall wellness. Trampolines, sensory fidget toys and laptops, as well as other educational devices, were among the items awarded.
Mike Hull Memorial Fund Chairwoman Melissa Kalamann explained the grant was created in her brother's name.
"The Mike Hull Memorial Fund was generated in my brother's name, who passed away. He was a musician, and he played for benefits, of course, at no charge. He also has an autistic granddaughter," Kalamann said. "When Michael passed, of course, that was dear to our hearts and then autism, being it runs in the family, is dear to our hearts. We wanted to find a way to keep my brother's name going for a good cause and we couldn't think of a better cause than to help those with autism.
"When my son was diagnosed 40 years ago, there wasn't the percentage that there is now in autism. It continues to grow. I don't think a lot of people, if, if it doesn't touch them, then they don't really realize how many families are affected by it."
Kalamann added that while there have been years where they didn't plan enough to be able to help everyone, they were able to help all of the recipients this year.
Abby Smith of Austintown was one of the mini-grant recipients. Her son, 7-year-old Kayden, has severe nonverbal autism and uses a special tablet known as an augmentative and alternative communication device as well as sign language to communicate.
Smith said it was challenging finding a school for him, but they found a great school in the form of the Knapp Center for Child Development.
She also expressed the importance of spreading awareness, explaining that prior to Kayden's birth, she didn't know much about the autism spectrum and took a year off to be with him. However, she was concerned when he wasn't hitting growth milestones.
"He wasn't hitting his milestones and I was going to the doctor's. I was asking all these questions. 'Why isn't he doing this?' 'Why haven't I heard a word?' After a lot of appointments and pressure, we found out he had severe nonverbal autism," Smith said. "I think the biggest thing about awareness to me is that early intervention is key. He wouldn't be able to use his tablet or all of these ways to communicate if we hadn't intervened early."
"I love him and I love his autism, but it doesn't mean that we can't help him," Smith added. "And so I think awareness is the biggest thing because it shows other people, 'hey, there's people like this in your class.' You can talk to them this way, you know, you can communicate this way with them and we're all here for a reason. So we might as well love one another."