Special events planned for Autism Awareness month

Goshen — The Mental Health Association of Orange County is marking April as Autism Awareness Month with several special events: • The Orange County Legislature will proclaim April as Autism Awareness Month at its session on Friday, April 13, at 10 a.m. in the legislative chambers of the county government center in Goshen. Members of Parents Run AMOC (Autism Move-a-thon of Orange County) will give brief speeches. • A free seminar presented by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities from University at Albany will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 16, in the auditorium at the Axelrod Building at Orange-Ulster BOCES in Goshen. The topic is “Best Practices for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” The agenda includes information on the use of Positive Behavioral Support, a set of strategies to enhance a child’s quality of life and decrease problem behavior. • A candle-lighting ceremony will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, in the arboretum of Thomas Bull Memorial Park on Route 416 in Montgomery. Members of the public are invited to light a candle in honor of a person with autism or to show support for the community. There will be music and light refreshments, including gluten free/casein free snacks. • Support groups for parents and family members of children who have autism, P.D.D. (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), or Asperger syndrome will be meeting in April. New members are welcome at any of the groups, which meet monthly to share their experiences raising a child with a spectrum disorder. All events are free but registration is required. For more information or to make a reservation, call Anne Klingner at 294-7411 ext. 253 or visit www.mhaornageny.com.