Panel discussion to be held on autism

“Autism: Your Questions Answered” is a free panel discussion coming March 20 to Lorain County Community College to inform families and guests of Lorain County’s services.

The panel will feature Thomas Frazier, chief science officer of Autism Speaks; Beth Mishkind Roth, an autism patient navigator at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital; and Joseph P. Stram, a grandparent of a young adult with autism and Milestones board member.

The event by Connecting for Kids will be held at the college’s Spitzer Conference Center, 1005 N Abbe Road in Elyria. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Each panelist will share their experiences, latest research and information about autism to families, educators and guests, according to Connecting for Kids Executive Director Sarah Rintamaki. She added that each speaker has a wealth of information in different areas that can help families find resources for their children or anyone with autism.

“We want to make sure parents are aware of those resources,” Rintamaki said.

After information is shared by each panel participant, the floor will open to participant questions.

Cosponsors of the event — Autism Society of Greater Cleveland, Autism Speaks and Milestones Autism Resources — will have their services shared throughout the event. Rintamaki said representatives will be in attendance so they can be connected with families and guests.

Child care will also be provided by individuals experienced in working with children who are on the autism spectrum, she said.

The three co-sponsor non-profits provide education, support and programs that can work with family members or loved ones dealing with autism in Lorain County, Rintamaki said.

The panel discussion will be the first Connecting for Kids has held focusing on a certain diagnosis, she added.

After supporting Lorain County for over a year now, Rintamaki said she and others in Connecting for Kids noticed there was an unsatisfied need in the area for resources dealing with autism. “We wanted to have a vehicle to spread that awareness and what (these resources) do to provide services for families,” she said.

Connecting for Kids’ mission is to provide education to those certain resources and support families with concerns about their child, with or without formal diagnoses, according to the non-profit.

Rintamaki said they are hoping to make panel discussions an annual event for other disabilities.

She said they want to make it something where Connecting for Kids brings experts together to Lorain County for parents and educators to educate and share what’s available for them.