Psychology sophomore Taylor Martinez learned how a person with autism can be treated with occupational and physical therapies to improve learning, communication and social skills during an event held Monday in Brownsville.
“I just wanted to be more aware of, like, autism and understand it a little bit better,” Martinez said. “It’s better to understand so we can be more grounded and work with [people with autism].”
Several local and UTRGV organizations and departments joined forces Monday on the Student Union lawn in Brownsville to provide information on autism and raised more than $200 for a nonprofit clinic.
More than 100 campus community members attended the event, which was hosted by the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Chapter at UTRGV in observance of Autism Awareness Day.
“The reason I wanted to create this event is so people can be aware of what type of opportunities are available to the people [on] this campus,” said Oscar Cazares, a UTRGV biology senior and AMSA president.
April is Autism Awareness Month. The event provided attendees with information on autism, mental health and disabilities.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive behaviors, social and cognitive impairments as well as communication difficulties.
Campus community members participated in a water paint balloon toss to raise money for Moody Clinic in Brownsville, which is a nonprofit organization that offers physical, speech/language and occupational therapy.
Moody Clinic physical therapist Laura Terheggen, occupational therapist Bianca Garcia and Development and Communications Director Christine Cavazos attended the event.
Terheggen and Garcia told The Rider some of the early signs of autism include children not responding to their name, avoiding eye contact, wanting to be alone and having low to no social skills.
“A lot of the times, you get diagnosed as a child and it’s something, unfortunately, that doesn’t go away,” Garcia said. “There’s no known cure yet for it. So then, you grow up with [autism] and that’s why therapy is so important and early intervention.”
The Moody Clinic information table had several items used to treat children who have sensory issues.
Items included a blanket, different types of fake grass, rice and toys. All props are used to help children develop their senses.
“[The props] help self-regulate and calm [children’s] sensory system,” Garcia said. “We kind of just help and introduce new textures to, you know, get them used to it on their little bodies.”
Moody Clinic is located at 1901 E. 22nd St. in Brownsville. To contact the clinic, call 542-8504.
Autism affects one in 68 children and one in 42 boys, according to autismspeaks.org. It is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S.
The UTRGV School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling was also present during the event.
“At both, the public-school level and at the university level, there are services and accommodations available for children with disabilities and young adults with disabilities” said Antonio Aguirre, a UTRGV clinical assistant professor. “So, making sure that those people know the services are there [is important] and they can reach out to them as well.”
Aguirre said he was thankful to all the people who helped organize the event and for attendees. The clinical assistant professor also volunteered in the water paint balloon toss.
Other participants included Familia Azul, Team Mario, UTRGV Student Accessibility Services and the school’s Leadership and Social Change department.
UTRGV Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall 129 on the Brownsville campus and University Center 108 on the Edinburg campus.
The department is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Its services include evaluating disability documentation, arranging academic accommodations and providing consultation to students with disabilities, including those with temporary disabilities, according to the UTRGV website.
To contact Student Accessibility Services, call 882-7374 in Brownsville and 665-7005 in Edinburg.
