News

Suburban youngsters shine spotlight on autism

Posted December 13, 2009 10:00 pm

Daily Herald Report

Miss June is Aileen McGowan, Hanover Park.

The Northwest Suburban chapter of the Autism Society of America is selling its "We Are Autism 2010" wall calendar - using Northwest suburban youngsters as models.

Each month features a photo of a child with autism and an inspirational message, since the purpose of the calendar is to help people understand that the cure for autism is not in some still undiscovered miracle drug cocktail, said spokeswoman and mother Amy Bolas.

Instead, she says, the cure for autism is opening people's hearts and minds to discover that every person with autism is a person - "who happens to communicate differently, interpret the world differently and negotiate their sensory and physical environments differently than the average bear" - but who thrives on the same love, support, and opportunities for personal growth that every person does. To see a video clip of the We Are Autism 2010 wall calendar visit youtube.com/watch?v=Dw7wlVfyi74.

Calendars are $10 and all proceeds support the Schaumburg chapter, which is staffed by volunteer parents and professionals involved with the autism community. The funds raised make possible monthly meetings where local autism families network, share experiences and hear occasional speakers. Family outings are also sponsored by the chapter twice a year.

To get a wall calendar go to autismillinois.com/Store.html.

The children who modeled for the calendar are:

• January: Isaiah Bills, 9, Hoffman Estates.

• February: Analigia Batres-Pearson, 6, Hanover Park.

• March: Natalie and Deming Fanslau, Roselle.

• April: Dominick Schaap, Schaumburg.

• May: Benjamin Marshall, South Beloit.

• June: Aileen McGowan, Hanover Park.

• July: Matthew Benkler, Arlington Heights.

• August: Matthew Young, Schaumburg.

• September: Jose Daniel Batres-Pearson.

• October: Jimmy Hebert, Elk Grove Village.

• November: Megan Bolas, 6, Schaumburg.

• December: Gawain Wall, Hoffman Estates.

March belongs to Natalie and Deming Fanslau of Roselle. Deming has autism and Natalie does not.

Gawain Wall of Hoffman Estates is Mr. December, and he also graces the calendar's back cover

Megan Bolas, of Schaumburg reigns during November.

The calendar's cover boy is Dominick Schaap of Schaumburg.

Isaiah Bills, of Hoffman Estates, is January. His mom, Kym, is president of the Autism Society of Illinois.