The Autism Project is holding its 23^rd annual Imagine Walk as Autism Awareness and Autism Acceptance Month begins.  

Established in 1997, the Johnston-based nonprofit organization works in the community to provide support to people with autism and teach others how they can be supportive of the autism community. 

Executive Director Joanne Quinn describes the Imagine Walk as a community event.  

“Our walk has a soul,” Quinn said. “Because we invite everyone to be there. It’s just nice for so many families to be out there together.” 

A lot of programming at The Autism Project fosters that connection. From its community work with schools, hospitals and businesses to its summer camp providing supportive environments for kids and people 50 years old alike.  

Quinn says they serve about 10,000 people a year between their outreach and service groups. 

“Our goal is to work with everybody to increase the understanding of what autism is and proactively support the work of our members, so we can build a neuro-inclusive environment for everybody where people feel safe and welcome across their day,” Quinn said.

As for the month’s official designation, the Autism Society of America has pushed for a rebranding of 

 Quinn says the walk is scheduled for Sunday, April 27, at Goddard Park. Starting at 9 a.m., Quinn says, The Autism Project expects about 6,000 people to come out in support.  

The Bierman Autism Center (BAC), a nationwide organization with offices in Rhode Island, works with children with autism, and is also one of the groups that comes out to support the Imagine Walk event. 

Bennett Schlesinger, director of services for the BAC, says that over the years, the understanding of autism has changed – for the better, especially when you see the impact and growth in engagement at local events like the walk.  

At the BAC, Schlesinger said, they launched a T-shirt initiative last week as part of their Autism Awareness Month programming.  BAC partnered with the Association for Science and Autism Treatment and, according to Schlesinger, 20% of the proceeds will be going to ASAT, with Bierman matching every dollar. 

“That is the goal, to get awareness out there for different ways that you can receive treatment for autism that is scientific,” Schlesinger said. 

BAC uses evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to produce a supportive environment for the children they work with. 

Aside from April’s programming, BAC holds a variety of sensory-friendly events open to the public for all to enjoy. Schlesinger said all their events are sensory-friendly because individuals diagnosed with autism need some help with their sensory input and need a break sometimes. 

“We make sure that we have a space where they're one, able to take that break if needed,” Schlesinger said. “And then also throughout the event, we're trying to do our best to keep lots of open spaces and keep the noise levels down as much as possible.” 

One of the events is a petting zoo scheduled for May 3 at BAC’s Cranston location, where they team up with a local farm that brings ponies and other animals to the center and invite the local community to come and enjoy the day. 

“It's one of my favorite events we do in the summer,” Schlesinger said.  

Looking out into the future, Quinn says, one of their biggest challenges at The Autism Project is the current economic uncertainty and funding to support the most vulnerable of their members so they can get the services they want.  

Quinn said a large part of their services is funded through Medicaid and grants, so not knowing about the stability of funds there is unnerving. 

“There's so much unknown,” Quinn said. “We just keep our head up and moving forward so that things can stay the way they are, so that people are receiving interventions and things they need.” 

Quinn said the project is a big resource for everybody, and one of the top priorities is determining and pursuing how to keep their members safe.  

Schlesinger said he would love for the awareness of the community to continue to grow, especially with what he says is the importance of early intervention and comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for individuals with autism.