RAIN UPDATE   (8:30 a.m. 4/25): Despite inclement weather this morning (April 25), the Fresno State Autism Center will proceed with its Fun and Run 5k today  9 a.m. – 2 p.m. beginning in the Maple Mall, west of the Satellite Student Union, to raise awareness and funds for the center. Race detailsbit.ly/FSN-Autism5KRunUpdate. For active updates: bit.ly/FS-AutismCtrFB.

 

The Autism Center @ Fresno State recognizes Autism Awareness Month with several events, including its first Fun and Run for Autism, April 25 at Fresno State and the women’s lacrosse Autism Awareness Game, Wednesday, April 8.

The observance began last week with the women’s softball autism awareness game at Margie Wright Diamond on campus, and continues today (April 6) when the Bulldogs lacrosse team will run lacrosse skill activities for the Autism center 2-3 p.m. at its field on the east side of Bulldog Stadium before Saturday’s match v. University of California, Davis.

Also, a special event will be hosted by the Fresno Grizzlies April 11. An Autism Center client will throw out the first pitch and a portion of ticket sales will support the center.

“Through these events we hope to raise awareness for autism and the services we provide here at Fresno State, while raising money to provide free services to families in need,” said Timothy Yeager, executive director for of the Fresno State Behavioral Sciences Institute.

The Autism Center @ Fresno State was established to be a leader in providing training to undergraduate and graduate students, high quality services to the community, and generating research in behavior analysis and related fields.taking-a-bite-out-of-autism

Yeager said that in California, funding for early intervention services is transitioning from state funds to insurance. As a result, fundraising efforts directly supports clients.

“With this transition, the burden of covering co-pays and deductibles has been placed on the families we serve. At times this cost can be quite exorbitant and we are looking to decrease the burden by adding to our scholarship hours. Last year we were fortunate to donate over 2,000 hours of service to our clients,” Yeager said.

Fresno State Autism Awareness Month event details:

  • Women’s lacrosse Autism Awareness Game: 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the Soccer & Lacrosse Field on the east side of Bulldog Stadium. Facts about autism and the services Fresno State provides will be read off by announcers during the game in addition to special giveaways and t-shirt sales. Prior to game day, the Bulldogs lacrosse team will volunteer on April 6 to run lacrosse skill activities for the Autism center.
  • 8th annual “Strike Out Autism” Fresno Grizzlies Game: 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at Chukchansi Park. The fundraising event will dedicate a portion of ticket sales from the game to the Autism Center @ Fresno State. Field level tickets are $10 and Phoenix club tickets are $40. Clients from the center will walk around the baseball track before the game and one will throw out the first pitch.
  • Fun and Run for Autism:  10 – 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25. The 5k run is open to all ages. Registration is $30 and includes a t-shirt. It will begin in the center of Maple Mall at Fresno State and will continue throughout campus with a visit around the Autism Center. There will also be a 400-yard run for children, as well as carnival attractions including bounce houses, food trucks, game booths and a dunk tank. Master of Ceremonies will be Ryan Stiner, Fresno area runner who ran from San Francisco to Fresno in support of the Autism Center @ Fresno State last fall. Sign up online.

For more information, contact Yeager at timothy@csufresno.edu or 559.278.6779.

(Akyia Westley, University Communications news assistant contributed to this copy).

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