Over 100 students, police officers, teachers, and community members gathered at the NYPD’s 52nd Precinct in Norwood for the Precinct’s 2nd Annual Autism Awareness Walk on May 29.

 

The walk began at the stationhouse, located at 3016 Webster Avenue, and continued down Webster Avenue before turning left onto Botanical Square and coming back down Webster Avenue, finishing again at the 52nd precinct. The students arrived back at the stationhouse to a festive atmosphere, complete with a bounce house, a gaming truck, snacks and refreshments.

NYPD Community Affairs Officer Stephen Echevarria said the Precinct received more funding for this year’s Walk which allowed them to bring in the bounce house, a big hit with the kids.

 

“It’s important to keep the conversation going [about autism],” he said. “It’s something that should be talked about for all twelve months of the year. We have so many kids in the community that need these services, that need help, that need this type of stuff to happen for them. So, we’re happy to do it and we’re happy to put some smiles on their faces and they’re enjoying themselves.”

According to an article published in December 2020 in the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, schools with higher rates of Autism and ELL (English Language Learner) students tend to be concentrated in urban regions throughout New York and have higher representation of Black and Hispanic/Latino students, as well as higher rates of learning disabilities in general. According to researchers, further research is warranted to explore possible reasons for this phenomenon.

 

Maureen Fullerton, who has served as principal of P.S. 168X for 12 years, said of the event, “We started this partnership last year. It was the first time we had done it. We came up with a plan to have this walk for autism and they got all this stuff for us.”

 

About a hundred students ranging those in third grade to eighth grade took part in the walk, according to Fullerton. “I don’t want to sound cliché, but it’s been a joy! You know the saying, ‘If you met one child with autism, you met one child with autism’ because they’re so individual,” Fullerton continued.

She added “It’s really nice for the Precinct to acknowledge us as an entity. Last year, when we did it for the first time, I think the kids felt very special because there’s not a lot of events like this for our children, and specifically for them. They have a great time, and we have a hard time getting them back in the building!”

 

Reflecting on the day, Echevarria concluded, “We have some officers who brought their kids out as well. Everyone is affected by autism in one way or another at different ends of the spectrum and we’re looking forward to continue to do this because we know that this is a need in the community.”