Raising money for autism in WMass

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A local organization wants to help families, schools and professionals understand and help people with autism.

'Community Resources for People with Autism' celebrated their 20th anniversary with a fundraiser at Western New England College in Springfield Friday.

They say the state is cutting crucial services for families while the instance of autism has increased dramatically in just the last 20 years.

Peter Benton of Longmeadow told 22News he's seen a dramatic increase since his 24-year old son was diagnosed with autism at 4 years old; "Twenty years ago 10 of 10,000 kids were diagnosed with autism. Today it's 1 out of 150, and there's some research that suggests it's 1 out of 90."

Benton complains that the state has cut resources for families with autistic children. He says that can be devastating to a family, because often one of the custodial parents has to give up their job to care for an autistic child.

Friday night's event was meant to raise money for community resources for people with autism and to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their organization which is based in Easthampton.

To learn more about autism, and 'Community Resources for People with Autism' click here.