By now, most people in the autism community are probably aware that one in 110 children born after 1998 have autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also shown that this marks a 57 percent increase in autism diagnosis in fewer than ten years!

Rather than being overwhelmed by statistics, the YAI Network continues to focus on people--the children and adults with autism spectrum disorders whom we serve every day. But we're also preparing for the future--to meet the ever growing needs of the children and adolescents who will grow into adults, as well as providing support services to their families, throughout the coming years. And we know that, as much as people on the autism spectrum need services to develop their abilities, they also need a society that is more understanding and a world that is kinder and gentler to people who are different.

So it's fitting that this year, the child who is raising awareness about our Central Park Challenge event, has autism.

If you live in the New York metro area, you’ve probably already seen Jaden’s curly hair and bright grin beaming out from TV, billboards, subways, telephone kiosks, newspapers and buses as he spreads the word about the event. The Central Park Challenge is an inclusive day that shows the community that children and adults with autism can live, play, learn, work and have fun in their communities. Most importantly, the event raises vital funds for services and programs for people with autism and other disabilities.

Jaden and his family know first hand how important these services are.

Last month, when Jaden attended another child’s birthday party, his parents saw how isolating autism can be. “The biggest heartache was when my husband sent me a picture from the party, and the picture said a thousand words,” said Sandra, Jaden’s mom. “Jaden was stacking cones and there wasn’t a child near him.

“When I asked my husband where the other kids were, he said they were playing elsewhere. It broke my heart.”

Central Park Challenge Video With Sherri Shepherd

So even though raising awareness about the YAI Network is important, Jaden heads off every day to his YAI preschool in Queens because he has an even more crucial task to attend to—learning how to make friends and relate to other kids.

Fortunately, things are beginning to look brighter. Jaden is beginning to climb out of his shell and connect with the world around him. “I can’t even begin to tell you how much progress Jaden has made over the last few months,” Sandra said.

A few weeks ago, Jaden began playing with other children on a trip to the neighborhood park. “He started chasing some other kids, saying, ‘Hey, wait for me!’” Sandra said. “Then he started running the other way, saying, ‘Now you catch me!’ It made me so happy to see him taking the initiative.”

Achieving this milestone—something as simple as playing in the park with other kids—wouldn’t be possible without the love, attention and top-notch education Jaden receives at his YAI preschool.

“YAI has changed the way I think about Jaden,” said Ismael, Jaden’s dad. “YAI is there to help him.”

Jaden is just one of thousands of people with autism spectrum disorders across the YAI Network who lives are made better by our services and programs.

If you know or love people with autism spectrum disorders or other disabilities, show your support for them by coming to Central Park on Saturday, June 5. If you can't make it to the park, show your support for Jaden today!