Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa walks for autism awareness

MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — On April 24, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa were raising awareness for autism.

The walk was not only for raising awareness, but also acceptance in the community.

Jodi Hajicek is a mom who has two kids with autism, one who is nonverbal and one who is high functioning.

She says she would like the community to know how to recognize autism and deal with it.

“So early intervention, education is important, getting the services that you need to the kids even if it starts at home, and just working and advocating for the kids,” said Hajicek.

One walker, Chani Larocque, was walking because she is heavily involved in the community.

She wants the community to know that autism is not the same for each person who has it.

“I think just being educated that people are different. They call it a spectrum for a reason. It is not textbook for each person,” said Larocque.

The leaders of the walk said almost 300 people were walking in support of autism awareness.

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