To cap U.S. Autism Acceptance Month recognized throughout April, Louisville City FC is teaming up with Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Louisville at Saturday’s game at Lynn Family Stadium.
LouCity will be hosting a number of FEAT families for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and FEAT will table along the stadium concourse. In celebration of the evening, the Big Four Bridge will also light up blue (for autism awareness) and purple (for the club).
Soccer Holdings, LLC — parent company of LouCity and Racing Louisville FC — recently became a Certified Autism Friendly Business. The initiative is a training program designed to build a community of businesses regardless the size that are dedicated to the inclusion of people with autism spectrum disorder.
In 2011, FEAT spearheaded the Autism Friendly Community, a group of more than 40 local providers who have the same mission: to help those with autism, but desire to see more happen in our community. Together, they are working to ensure that there are no gaps in services, preparing our community for the influx of those with autism who are aging out of the system, and working to make Louisville and every city an “Autism Friendly City.”
FEAT has more than 400 businesses that have registered for the initiative, which continues to grow with autism friendly partners in nine states and two countries. Visit autismfriendlybusiness.com for more information.
Founded in 1999, FEAT of Louisville exists to help ease the journey for individuals and families with Autism through ongoing support, education, programs and resources. Autism is a complex neurological disorder that typically surfaces prior to age 3. Affected children generally lack appropriate social engagement, have significant communication impairments and often demonstrate repetitive behaviors due to sensory dysfunction.
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability today, affecting a startling 1 in 44 children.
