By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore City Councilwoman Eunice Johnson decided four years ago to observe National Autism Acceptance Month with a banquet and a special walk, both designed to raise awareness of children and adults on the autism spectrum and to educate parents and the general public of the services available to those who suffer from the development disorder.
The special events are apparently working. About 50 people participated Saturday (April 12) in the mile-long walk from the intersection of North Main and Howard Streets to Heritage Park, and another 50 or so gathered in the city park for the program that followed.
“I’ve been so blessed,” said Johnson, the grandmother of three autistic children, who formed the non-profit EMJ Atmore Outreach to help get the message across. “It’s growing and growing every year, and we have so much to bring in 2025.”
The crowd, which last year included numerous city officials, boasted only one this year. Atmore Municipal Court Judge Karean Reynolds, who is also the Escambia County Commission’s District 5 representative, was the only office-holder other than Johnson to attend.
As it has every year, the assemblage of walkers that met in the vacant lot at the Main-Howard intersection gathered for prayer before setting off behind an Atmore Fire Department pickup and an Atmore Police Department patrol unit, both with lights flashing.
The group sauntered along Main Street at a steady pace, with another APD unit bringing up the rear, until they reached the municipal greenspace, where the sound of Dee-jae Double-R’s sound system and the smells of hamburgers, sausage and hot dogs from Curtis Tucker’s grill mingled with the laughter of children.
Adults gathered in small groups, laughing and talking, while the marchers were on their way. Youngsters chased each other around the park, stopping occasionally to steal a glance at the two snakes wrapped around the arms of Feathers & Fangs Exotic Animal Rescue’s Codi Smith and Ally Smith. Ally’s father, Levi, also brought a dog for attendees to pet.
Some of the more adventurous children actually got close enough to pet the snakes, but most were satisfied with watching from a distance.
Representatives of University of South Alabama’s Regional Autism Network were again in attendance, providing information and answering questions about the advances made in treating or learning to accept the disorder.
The main address was delivered by Faye Kendrix Pettway, who has 30-plus years of experience working with autistic and other special needs children. She reminded parents that they are the primary source for a child’s early development, especially children with special needs.
“Parents, you are your child’s first teacher,” she said. “Sing to them, talk to them, remember their disability is unique. If your child has a meltdown, move everything out of the way so they can have their meltdown. When the meltdown is over, the child will be fine.
“It’s time to grow up. We all have a disability of some form. Actually, there’s not but one disability, and that’s a bad attitude.”
Nicole Jones, a Licensed Professional Counselor, said there’s a simple reason she attends the autism awareness event each year, at the same time noting the growth in the local event.
“It’s important for everyone, especially in our rural communities,” Jones said of the awareness campaign. “That’s where resources are already spread thin. The rural counties suffer in silence, so it’s important to bring awareness to the community. Even from last year, this has gotten bigger. We need to keep pushing and be consistent.”