The Parsons Family Colleen, Mike, Mikey, Matty, and Jordyn

Meet our 23rd Annual Walk for Autism Chair Family – the Parsons! Grateful for their acceptance.

For the last four years or so the Autism Society has felt like a safe haven for our family. Before we even had an official ASD diagnosis for our first son, Mikey, they were there to provide recommendations and personal experiences. There’s a sense of grief and loneliness that a family often feels when they receive an Autism diagnosis that I don’t think gets talked about enough. When our second son, Matty was diagnosed with Autism as well, I truly felt like nobody else understood what we were going through. I remember going to my first “mom’s night out” event through the Autism Society and it was the first time I cried in front of strangers. Meeting all these other moms, some of whom also had two kids on the spectrum, helped me feel like I wasn’t on this tiny boat alone, just watching all the people on the cruise ship pass me by. Helping plan events, being involved in programs, and organizing a team for the walk are all things that we love doing and will continue to do for years to come. Being a part of this organization has given us this community we wouldn’t have otherwise, and we will continue to tell new parents we meet to “get involved with the Autism Society, it’ll be a game changer.”

DATE: Saturday, April 27, 2024

Registration Time: 9:30 am to 10:45 am

Walk Begins: 11:00 am promptly; Pre-Walk Announcements at 10:45 am

LOCATION: Lake Erie Speedway – 10700 Delmas Drive NORTH EAST

Join us for the 23rd Annual Walk for Autism! This empowering two-mile walk aims to raise awareness about Autism while funding crucial programming and activities for individuals with Autism in our community. All proceeds, a full 100%, remain right here in our local area.

Why should you be a part of this? Our Annual Walk for Autism stands as the Autism Society NWPA’s flagship event each year. Your participation enables us to extend support throughout the year, offering Family Sensory and social Outings, Family Support Activities and Education, and Therapeutic programming across the lifespan. The year 2024 marks another exciting installment of our Annual Walk for Autism—an event known for its empowerment, fun, and family-friendly atmosphere! We invite YOU and your community to register, donate, and join us on April 27, 2024, making this the BEST Walk ever.

What’s Happening?

~ Easy access & secure venue
~ Plenty of onsite parking
~ Indoor restrooms
~ Kidz Exploration Station
~ NEW  Team Photo Backdrop station!
~ NEW Selfie photo stations – snap a photo and share #AutismNWPA
~ Local Food Trucks
~ Registration options (t-shirts, long sleeves, or hoodie)
~ Walk team prizes (https://bit.ly/AutismWalkCreateTeam2023)
~ Deluxe basket & themed basket auctions
~ Complimentary coffee & hot chocolate

Walk Registration Information: (2024 Walk apparel ONLY available with pre-registration on/or before April 1, 2024.)

PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2024

Adult (age 15 and older) registration donation:

– $22.00 – Pre-registered includes 2024 Commemorative Walk t-shirt
– $26.00 – Pre-registered includes 2024 Commemorative Walk long-sleeve t-shirt
– $36.00 – Pre-registered includes 2024 Commemorative Walk Hoodie

Tween (age 10 – 14) registration donation:

– $12.00 – Pre-registered includes 2024 Commemorative Walk t-shirt
– $16.00 – Pre-registered includes 2024 Commemorative Walk long-sleeve t-shirt
– $26.00 – Pre-registered includes 2024 Commemorative Walk Hoodie

Youth (age 0 – 9) walk for free

– $10.00 optional YOUTH 2024 commemorative Walk t-shirt – pre-order only by the pre-registration deadline of April 1, 2024. *Anyone aged 0-9 who would like an ADULT SIZE shirt needs to register as a TWEEN Walker.

2024 Commemorative Walk t-shirt, long sleeves, or hoodies – pre-registered walkers (deadline APRIL 1, 2024) will receive one commemorative 2024 shirt (selected at registration). Walk registrations will be accepted after the April 1, 2024 deadline but will not receive the 2024 Commemorative Walk apparel option. EXTREMELY Limited vintage Walk t-shirts will be available for on-site registration.

On-site registration ($25.00 per Walker age 15 and older; $15.00 per Walker age 10 – 14) will be available at the Walk on April 27, 2024, but will not include the 2024 Commemorative Walk apparel options.  Extremely Limited vintage Walk t-shirts will be available for on-site registration only.

Our Annual Walk for Autism is made possible by our families, team captains, community, and sponsors.

All donations for this Walk to Autism Society NWPA are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Donations are non-refundable.

Join in supporting the Autism Society NWPA and your local community through walking, donating a theme basket, or sponsoring.

In consideration of my entry being accepted, I hereby for myself, the animal(s) to which I have custody and have brought to the Walk, my heirs, executors, and administrators, waive any release of rights and claims for any damages I may have against the Autism Society NWPA and the sponsors of this event, named or unnamed, traveling to, participating in, and returning from this event. I hereby represent that the animal(s) to which I have custody and have brought to the Walk is in good health and has current rabies vaccinations. I expressly assume any and all risks associated with contact with participants at the Walk, injuries or damages sustained by, through and/or to other participating animals, the condition of Lake Erie Speedway, and it is understood and agreed that all such risks are appreciated by me. I grant permission to all foregoing to use any photographs, motion pictures, recordings, or any other records of this event for any legitimate purpose.

PLEASE NOTE: All pre-registered participants who meet the April 1, 2024 deadline are entitled to receive a commemorative 2024 Walk Apparel (as selected during registration). Autism Society NWPA DOES NOT guarantee apparel unless you are pre-registered AND are present by 11:30 am the day of the Walk. We take no responsibility to reserve or deliver unclaimed apparel. All unclaimed apparel becomes the property of Autism Society NWPA.