CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A Clay County mom wants to spread more awareness about resources for children with autism.
Shannon Hube is a mother of six — five boys and one girl. The oldest is 22, and the youngest is 5. She also teaches junior high in Clay County. You could say she has her hands full.
When her second youngest son, Bryce, was 18 months old, he started showing changes in his personality.
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"You feel like there's something wrong but you can't quite put your finger on it." Hube said. "It's frustrating."
Bryce was later diagnosed with autism.
"It's hard, because nobody wants their kids to be labeled," she said, tearfully.
Not too long after, Hube's younger son, Brock, started showing the same symptoms.
"He didn't have a lot of words," she said. "He couldn't tell us what was wrong."
Hube felt overwhelmed by this news. She didn't know what to do. She said it felt like a whole new world for her.
Things like taking a photo with Santa Claus or going to the movies were a nightmare for her. She decided to seek some help, and stumbled upon Autism Speaks.
The organization has a 100 Day Kit For Newly Diagnosed Families of Young Children printable toolkit that helps outline what people should do in the first 100 days after a diagnosis.
"That's the one great thing about Autism Speaks is they provide sensory-friendly times to go see Santa Claus and the Easter bunny," Hube said.
The proof is in the photos:
Shannon Hube is raising two boys with autism.
— Meghan Moriarty (@MeghanANjax) October 16, 2019
She says something as ‘simple’ as waiting in line for Santa Claus caused anxiety for her sons (picture 1). @autismspeaks offers a sensory-friendly Santa visit (picture 2) which Shannon says was lifechanging. The proof is in the pics! pic.twitter.com/JkTWO0UkYh
The Autism Speaks picture events don't have lines or bright lights. Parents call ahead to make an appointment, and the event staffers are flexible if things don't go as planned. They've given her a way to navigate through this diagnosis with some ease.
"The autism response team especially train to connect you with the resources in your area to help you get on that road to -- I don't want to say recovery, but to making life a little bit easier," Hube said.
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Sunday is the annual Autism Speaks Walk. It's happening nationally, but there's one in Jacksonville at the Avenues Mall. Click here to register to take part in the walk. It gets started at 9:30 a.m. and the goal is to raise $60,040.
Another sensory-friendly place is Chuck-E-Cheese. The arcade has "Sensory Sensitive Sunday" the first of every month from 9-11 a.m. at the following locations:
Orange Park location – 6065 Youngerman Circle, Jacksonville, Florida, 32244; 904-777-8666
Avenues location – 10320 Shops Lane, Jacksonville, Florida; 32258; 904-288-7025
MORE RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES:
Bryce is going to rob @ChuckECheese’s ticket counter with all those tickets!!
— Meghan Moriarty (@MeghanANjax) October 16, 2019
Today, I got to hangout with him and his family. We talked about how @autismspeaks has helped their family @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/48q4W7n4Zl
#ONLYON @ActionNewsJax: This mom is taking awareness for autism to a whole new level. She has been through the ringer, but says her adorable boy(s) are the reason it's all worth it. Hear her story of patience and strength on CBS47/FOX30 at 5PM pic.twitter.com/vgqdYSHIeW
— Meghan Moriarty (@MeghanANjax) October 16, 2019
Cox Media Group
