10 Years = Many "Mylestones"
Autism Awareness - the event began in 2012 with the ultimate goal of "Raising Awareness" about autism within the Howard-Suamico communities. Throughout our 10 years, awareness for autism has grown dramatically and our event focus has switched to "Acceptance".
Prevalence - when the event began in 2012, approximately 1 in 69 children in the United States were identified as having autism. Boys were much more likely to have autism than girls. In 2023, that statistic has shifted to 1 in 36 children. Boys are still much more likely to have autism...four times more likely than girls.
Behavioral Therapy - children with autism often need extensive behavioral therapy to help understand the social world around them. In 2012, Myles worked with the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), one of the only providers in the Green Bay area at that time. Therapy was paid for by a state waiver program and many children spent extensive time on waiting lists - sometimes up to a few years - before the funds became available. In 2021, there are about a dozen therapy providers in the Green Bay area. Therapy is now paid for by the state waiver program AND insurance. Insurance allows more students to be serviced because they don't need to wait for state funding to become available.
Community Opportunities - Myles has been lucky enough to be involved in many community-based opportunities over the years! These include: Miracle League Baseball, modified sailing lessons (through Green Bay Sail & Paddle), modified soccer (through TOP soccer and Howard Fire) , modified flag football (Challenger League through Fox Valley Pop Warner), therapeutic horseback riding through Exceptional Equestrians, Touchdowns for Autism (through the Bay Port High School football team), teen social group classes (through Bridge the Gap Green Bay), swimming lessons, and more! All of these opportunities allow Myles and other children with autism to adjust to the social environment around them and learn valuable team and community skills!
Support / Training - our event has provided dozens of training opportunities over the years for teachers, students and parents. These trainings have helped to raise a greater awareness for the social inconsistencies, behaviors and issues that may arise when working with children with autism. Over the past few years, 2MYLES4AUTISM has also supported the work of our district's Allies in Autism Education (AAE) team, which included AAE team meetings and collaboration, the sponsorship of AAE professional development opportunities for staff and families, guest speakers for staff and families and more!
Project Search - our event provides funding for an HSSD student with autism to attend the Project Search program which is run by Bellin and St. Vincent Hospitals. Students are eligible to attend following their senior year of high school and learn on-the-job skills within the hospital setting. They are also instructed by a classroom teacher on social skills and other important work-related opportunities. The program boasts a 100% job placement rate after completion!
Community Support - our community continues to support 2MYLES4AUTISM and its mission of autism awareness and acceptance! We have grown from about 500 participants in 2012 to over 1000 participants! Each person brings their own unique understanding of autism and our event strives to ensure that each participant is equipped with information to help spread the message of awareness and acceptance beyond our yearly event!
Prevalence - when the event began in 2012, approximately 1 in 69 children in the United States were identified as having autism. Boys were much more likely to have autism than girls. In 2023, that statistic has shifted to 1 in 36 children. Boys are still much more likely to have autism...four times more likely than girls.
Behavioral Therapy - children with autism often need extensive behavioral therapy to help understand the social world around them. In 2012, Myles worked with the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), one of the only providers in the Green Bay area at that time. Therapy was paid for by a state waiver program and many children spent extensive time on waiting lists - sometimes up to a few years - before the funds became available. In 2021, there are about a dozen therapy providers in the Green Bay area. Therapy is now paid for by the state waiver program AND insurance. Insurance allows more students to be serviced because they don't need to wait for state funding to become available.
Community Opportunities - Myles has been lucky enough to be involved in many community-based opportunities over the years! These include: Miracle League Baseball, modified sailing lessons (through Green Bay Sail & Paddle), modified soccer (through TOP soccer and Howard Fire) , modified flag football (Challenger League through Fox Valley Pop Warner), therapeutic horseback riding through Exceptional Equestrians, Touchdowns for Autism (through the Bay Port High School football team), teen social group classes (through Bridge the Gap Green Bay), swimming lessons, and more! All of these opportunities allow Myles and other children with autism to adjust to the social environment around them and learn valuable team and community skills!
Support / Training - our event has provided dozens of training opportunities over the years for teachers, students and parents. These trainings have helped to raise a greater awareness for the social inconsistencies, behaviors and issues that may arise when working with children with autism. Over the past few years, 2MYLES4AUTISM has also supported the work of our district's Allies in Autism Education (AAE) team, which included AAE team meetings and collaboration, the sponsorship of AAE professional development opportunities for staff and families, guest speakers for staff and families and more!
Project Search - our event provides funding for an HSSD student with autism to attend the Project Search program which is run by Bellin and St. Vincent Hospitals. Students are eligible to attend following their senior year of high school and learn on-the-job skills within the hospital setting. They are also instructed by a classroom teacher on social skills and other important work-related opportunities. The program boasts a 100% job placement rate after completion!
Community Support - our community continues to support 2MYLES4AUTISM and its mission of autism awareness and acceptance! We have grown from about 500 participants in 2012 to over 1000 participants! Each person brings their own unique understanding of autism and our event strives to ensure that each participant is equipped with information to help spread the message of awareness and acceptance beyond our yearly event!