URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — At this year’s annual event for the Champaign-Urbana Autism Network, more than 300 people came out to support the cause.

“It’s a great event for all the kids to see that there are other kids like them, families to see other families like them,” said Dianne Gordon.

Gordon and her daughter, who has autism, attend the Autism Walk and Resource Fair in Urbana every year, and this marks 14 years that the event has been in existence.

“Our goal is to desensitize our kids to everyday things like the police,” said Executive Director Julie Duvall.

Duvall also said this is a space for kids and adults to be themselves. She said some people on the spectrum may feel judged by others.

“Because you have autism, you’re different, you’re not less, Duvall said. “And we are just as entitled.”

But that doesn’t have to be the case, even though it may cause worry.

“As a parent, it’s like, what? What’s my kid going to do?” Gordon said.

Gordon said it’s a treat to see them grow.

“As we see her grow every little, as one of my other friends says, every inch stone that they make instead of milestone is like that,” Gordon said. “Much more to celebrate.”

Gordon said she’s seen her daughter hit all sorts of breakthroughs.

“She’s worn a hat since she was four years old, 24 hours a day,” she said. “This summer, she took off her hat and let somebody style her hair so she could do gymnastics. It was amazing, and I won’t say I didn’t cry because I did.”

And something as simple as taking off her cap can be one of the little moments that makes her growth so special.
For more information on the event that lasted from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, click here.