KNBN NewsCenter1
April 18, 2021
RAPID CITY, S.D. The Autism Society of the Black Hills held a fundraiser to help fund summer programs for those with autism, and for those with a love for fifties style and the great outdoors, it was a beautiful day to walk or run for a great cause.
The event was held at Old Storybook Island and was an effort to promote acceptance, not just awareness.
“Most people know what autism is, and they are aware of it. This year, the push is to have inclusion began with acceptance. So, autism is frequently known as one of the invisible disabilities. Meaning that there is not always physical features that are defining for autism,” said Kelly Keim, Co-President of the Autism Society of the Black Hills.
KNBN NewsCenter1
April 1, 2021
RAPID CITY, S.D. 10% of all sales at Daylight Donuts on Friday, April 2 will go to the Autism Society of the Black Hills in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.
The nonprofit Autism Society of the Black Hills was founded in October 1997, and works to enable all families and others associated with an autistic, Asperger’s or Pervasive Development Disorder individual to have access to support groups, meetings, additional information and resources.
KNBN NewsCenter1
January 24, 2021
RAPID CITY, S.D. Getting the coronavirus, on top of having autism, puts an unimaginable amount of stress on a family. That’s what’s happened to one local teenager.
Families with members on the spectrum have a host of unique challenges that have been increased during the pandemic.
The Schweigert family is pleased with the support they’ve received, but say mental health for those on the spectrum is lacking in the Midwest.
“Before he had COVID, he had just hit a point where he had so much anxiety, and it was coming out as aggression. He was biting himself, he was trying to bite others hitting, kicking. And it was stuff he couldn’t control,” said Amber Schweigert. “And finding a place that would take him because he has autism is really hard. We spent two days calling all over South Dakota, Wyoming, North Dakota, Minnesota…before Yankton finally said they would take him.”