Beautiful sunny skies with temperatures around 70 made Saturday's (4/28/2018) AUTISM FAMILY DAY atPatterson Park a huge success.

Vendors had materials and the latest information to help caregivers of those with this disorder.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the incidence rate of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has jumped to 1 in 59, up from 1 in 68.

NewsRadio WGNS put this on a local perspective and asked Special Kids' Mack Barrett if it was on the increase . . .

The Autism Society responded by calling for greater focus on reducing wait lists for services, transition planning, improving job readiness resources, and increasing home and community-based supports and services. The Autism Society also specifically asks Congress to reauthorize the Autism CARES Act (P.L. 113-157) that will expire in 2019 if no action is taken.

This was Patterson Park's 1st Annual Autism Family Fun Festival to be held on Saturday, April 28, from noon until 4:00 that afternoon. The fair provided resources, awareness, and a day for our special needs families to be able to have fun and relax while networking with each other and our community partners. Jump houses, games, obstacle course, prizes, music, face painting and food will be just some of the activities planned for the day. The event if free and open to the public.

Assistant Patterson Park Program Coordinator Crystal Ellis-McFerrin told WGNS, "Autism resource booths featuring Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Rutherford County, MCCAA Head Start, Murfreesboro City Schools, Middle Tennessee State University ACE program, H3O Beyond Aquatics, PPCC Wellness, United Way, Rutherford County Health Department, Cannonsburgh Village, Read to Succeed, The Family Center, University of Tennessee Extension Agency, had a good flow of visitors who received information about this disorder."

Hear complete Autism Day interview with Special Kids' Mack Barrett and Rachel Young.