By Shaylyn Austin
News Editor
Many high school students honorably partake in events to raise money for various illnesses, but happenings that promote awareness for autism, another relevant cause, are often overshadowed.
With the goal of bringing the fight against autism to the forefront, sophomore Sarah Colen has created Autism Speaks Club. The club held its first meeting on Nov. 29.
Colen has been involved with Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization, since her younger sister was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of two. She recently founded Autism Speaks Club to get more students involved in efforts to raise awareness for the disorder.
“My sister has been a huge part of my life, and I have always been associated with Autism Speaks because it’s a great organization,” Colen said. “I go to their walks, and my family tries to donate as much money as we can. This club is a way that I can get many other people to support this cause.”
Government resources provide partial financial aid to cover medical expenses for families with children who are diagnosed with autism, but many private health insurance companies do not cover various autism therapies. The main goal of Colen’s club is to raise funds for Autism Speaks to aid in its efforts to provide resources for families that cannot afford the treatments needed for those with an autism disorder.
“People on the autism spectrum need a lot more attention and help than people that are not on the spectrum do,” Colen said. “Even though they go to class to learn, they still need outside assistance. My sister [10 years old], for example, gets 50 hours a week of occupational, speech and behavioral therapy.”
In addition to supporting families financially, Autism Speaks dedicates a majority of its funds donating to the research of the causes, treatments and preventions, with the discovery of a cure as the ultimate goal.
“Autism Speaks is trying to find out exactly what autism is,” Colen said. “It is known to be a neurological disorder, but not much is known about other elements and symptoms of the disease.”
Colen’s club has already been planning for future fundraisers. Most recently, the club sold hot chocolate and baked goods on Dec. 9 during the Manhattan Beach Holiday fireworks show on the Manhattan Beach pier.
“At least one out of every 100 kids has autism,” head of publicity sophomore Meghan Yates said. “It’s easy to live in Manhattan Beach and be totally aware of struggles people have without actually doing anything or making an effort. We hope to be able to hold more fundraisers once we [adjust to having a club] and raise as much money as we can.”
One of the club’s first goals is to hold an assembly at Costa, some time in the near future, with guest speakers from the national Autism Speaks organization. Club members hope that holdiing a public seminar will educate and inform the Costa community about autism.
“Autism Speaks is an extremely important organization, and it’s important to bring it to Costa and our community,” club member junior Matt Stern said. “Autism is very serious, and we will do all we can to give back and help fund more research.”
Though Autism Speaks Club is just starting out, Colen hopes to soon be able to grow and expand her club into a large, well-known organization on Costa’s campus. The club meets every Thursday in room 35 during lunch.
“For the time being I want to get as many people to join the [Autism Speaks Club] as possible,” Colen said. “We are doing this on our own for right now, but once we get more of a following, maybe we can do some activities with Friendship Circle or other Costa clubs. I think that this club will make a difference for children who are living with autism.”
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