Autism Awareness flag raised over town hall
Woodbridge is first in state to fly flag; April is Autism Awareness Month
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - The 4-foot-6-inch flag, which reads "Autism Awareness," was raised last week and flew underneath the American flag at town hall in recognition of autism awareness for the month of April.

The township is the first in the state of New Jersey to fly the Autism Awareness flag, which was manufactured by Gettysburg Flags, at its town hall. Mayor John E. McCormac held the flag-raising ceremony before the Township Council meeting on March 27.

"There could be someone in your church or in the supermarket who knows someone who has autism," said Mary Karafa, whose 8-year-old daughter, Erica, has autism. "We are lucky that we have a program like PACE in the township."

PACE is short for the Woodbridge Township In-District Extended School-Year Program for the Advancement of Children's Education, which began in 1966. The PACE Parents Organization was begun unofficially in 2000 by two PACE mothers.

Chris Penik, who is one of the co-founders and currently a co-president for the PACE Parents Organization, said that when her daughter was diagnosed with autism nine years ago, autism was found in 1 in 10,000 children. New statistics show that the rate of autism is on the rise. Last year, the numbers were as high as 1 in 166. Today the numbers are 1 in 150 nationally, and in New Jersey, the numbers are 1 in 96.

"This flag raising is very special to institute the awareness of autism," said Penik, who also announced that due to obligations, she had to leave her post as co-president of the PACE Parents Organization.

Many of the core members of the PACE Parents Organization have children with autism spectrum disorder, which is a pervasive developmental disorder that impacts the social, learning and behavioral skills of those affected by the disorder. Common symptoms of autism are delayed speech, repetitive gestures, sensory issues, poor social skills and coping with change or frustration. Unusual behaviors and tantrums are often the only visible signs of autism.

The PACE organization runs a summer program for children throughout the township who have autism as well as other disorders.

"We run games and hold a carnival for the kids," said Victoria Irizarry-Romanienko, whose 7-year-old son, Preston, has autism. She is one of the co-presidents of the PACE Parents Organization. "This is a way for the children to participate [in an environment], where, unfortunately, elsewhere there would be a chance for them to be scrutinized for their behavior. It's also a wonderful opportunity for the volunteers, who are mostly college kids. I have seen these kids change their majors to special education because they enjoy their summer job so much."

Penik said the summer PACE program allows the children to continue their goals, whether they are academic or social, that they have started in the beginning of the year.

"For example, some of these kids have a tough time to wait in line," said Penik. "At the carnival, these kids have a chance to learn how to wait in line. These special-needs skills can be learned."

The PACE Parents Organization hosted its fourth annual Autism Awareness Program on April 2 at Matthew Jago Elementary School No. 28. The Autism Awareness/PACE fundraising event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 28 at the Java Moon Café, 3126 Woodbridge Ave., Edison. For more information on PACE, visit www.woodbridge.k12.nj.us/pace-/PACE.htm.