Autism awareness, support event to return to Livingston
In an effort to provide families of children with autism extra support during National Autism Awareness Month, a locally-based foundation is organizing a free family fun day and barbecue event in Livingston.
Carlos Vieira, founder and president of the Carlos Vieira Foundation, said April 19 will serve as a day for parents to come together and meet other families who are going through a similar situation with autistic children.
“For parents with questions, there is nothing better than meeting other parents that go through the same thing,” Vieira said.
Vieira, a Livingston native and race car driver, started the foundation in 2008. Through the nonprofit’s Race for Autism campaign, organizers put on fundraisers throughout the year for programs that provide services to families with autistic children. Fundraisers occur in the form of Portuguese bull fight events, casino nights, fireworks stands, concerts and golf tournaments, to name a few.
In the past, the nonprofit has raised money for the Challenged Family Resource in Merced, Autism Speaks and Children’s Hospital of Central California.
The barbecue and family day is free to all families. The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the 51Fifty Enterprise headquarters located at 15056 W. Peach Ave in Livingston.
Families who plan to attend are encouraged to RSVP by April 16 at info@carlosvieirafoundation.org or by calling (209) 394-1444. The event will include games, bounce houses, arts and crafts, face painting and photo opportunities with race cars.
This year, the family day event is making a comeback, Vieira said. The event skipped a couple of years, but the group has made it a point to bring it back. For more information, visit www.carlosvieirafoundation.org.
Autism facts:
▪ 1 in 68 children are affected by autism
▪ Boys are five times more likely to be identified with autism than girls
▪ On average, children are not diagnosed with autism until after age 4, but children can be diagnosed as early as age 2
▪ The identified prevalence of autism has increased from 1 in 150 in the year 2000 to 1 in 68 in the year 2010
▪ Autism is reported in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups
▪ There is currently no medication that can cure autism or treat its symptoms
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 11:08 PM with the headline "Autism awareness, support event to return to Livingston."