Lake Effect Café was buzzing with busy students writing papers, drinking coffee and chatting with friends about their upcoming weekend plans. Jennifer Auceda, a sophomore Psychology major, was sitting on a high table by the windows, listening to music, and typing away on her laptop. Although she was surrounded by other dedicated students, only she could call herself the president of Oswego’s first autism organization, Autism Speaks U.
“Autism Speaks U is the third SUNY chapter. The other two are New Paltz and Albany, so we’re kind of special in a way,” Jen said smiling. “The reason I brought Autism Speaks U to Oswego is because I have a brother who is autistic. He’s 13 now, and my mom and I raised him together,” she said. “It’s about raising awareness and to educate people about autism.”
Even though millions of people have heard of autism before, many don’t know the actual definition. “Autism is a complex brain disorder that doesn’t allow people to communicate or interact with others emotionally,” she said, “so it’s difficult for parents to deal with it or for others to try to understand it.
“I remember growing up as a kid in the 90s, going to elementary school and my brother not being at the typical baby level. When he was a year old, he wasn’t even crawling yet. I was always defending my brother, as a kid, as he was growing up because he got looked at weirdly. No one knew what autism was.”
Autism affects one out of every 110 children. It’s becoming more common every day, and fortunately, thanks to people like Jen, the word for autism keeps spreading. “Right now what we’re trying to do is to promote our main event Light It Up Blue which is on April 2nd and it’s basicallywhen a bunch of iconic buildings, such as the Empire State Building, have blue lights.”
Now that Oswego has its first Autism Speaks U organization, students can become involved and help out others whose family members have autism. “We have been doing fund raisers for the Autism Speaks walk in May in New York City,” she said. “Mostly this semester we have been focusing on promoting and educating.”
When you walk through Campus Center, you may have seen the table for Autism Speaks U set up by the windows. Jen and her volunteers focus on spreading the word on autism, as well as selling blue T-shirts for Light It Up Blue in Oswego.
“The responses we have gotten from the tables have been such a blessing. A lot of people, especially parents, have stepped out of their comfort zones. They see my table and say, ‘oh, my kid has autism,’” she said. “One man said ‘I’m a dad and by son has autism,’ and I could relate to him. It was very emotional because I could see that he felt accepted finally. It’s amazing, the responses that we’ve gotten.”
Jen plans to hold projects to raise more awareness. “To help spread the word even more, we want to hold a project where artists can submit their artwork with the autism logo so it can be printed on T-shirts,” she said. “But we’re going slow and steady for now.”
Autism Speaks U has a Facebook page, with nearly 50 likes, as well as a Twitter page. If you have a Facebook, which you most likely do, share your support and like Autism Speaks U SUNY Oswego. This will help spread the knowledge on autism as well as support the cause.
Remember to wear blue on April 2nd to support autism awareness! Light it up blue Oswego!