Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
8:15 am Wednesday, July 10, 2002

Autism workshop set for Friday at MSU-Meridian

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
July 10, 2002
Mona Fields is a teacher and the mother of a 16-year-old who is autistic and was institutionalized 10 years ago.
She wants other parents of autistic children to know that a better understanding of autism and early intervention for treatment could mean that their children won't have the same outcome.
She and other parents of autistic children plan to attend a workshop on the developmental disorder set for Friday in Kahlmus Auditorium at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus.
Dr. Mark H. Yeager, who holds a doctorate in education and is director of the Central Mississippi Residential Center in Newton, is expected to be the program's guest speaker.
Autism is a complex developmental disorder that appears in the first three years of life. It affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.
Core features include impaired social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe.
Henry Daum, a spokesman for the Mental Health Association in Lauderdale County, said the workshop was scheduled at the request of Meridian Autism Resources and Support.
Daum said a similar program in May met with overwhelming response: "We didn't have enough space for all who wanted to come last time, but the need is clearly there."
He is hopeful another program focusing on information for parents of autistic children will be scheduled this fall.
Fields works as an "inclusion teacher" at Parkview Elementary School, meaning she includes children with various handicaps, including autism, in her regular kindergarten class.
Last year, Fields, along with Lou Ann Henson, also the mother of an autistic child, co-founded the Meridian Autism Resources and Support group.
The group meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church.
AUTISM FACTS
What is autism?
Autism is an umbrella term used to describe a number of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Autism is a lifelong
developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life.
It is a neurological disorder that affects brain function.
Autism occurs in about one to six of every 1,000 births.
Autism is four times more common in boys than in girls.
It is not known what causes Autism.
What are some symptoms?
Disturbances in the rate of a child's physical, social and language skills.
Abnormal responses to sensations.
Speech and language are absent or delayed while
specific thinking capabilities may be present.
Abnormal ways of relating to people, objects and events.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025