Helping hands: Cavalry raise autism awareness

Cameron Moore runs in Custer's Kid Parade and slaps hands with the players just before halftime during the Wyoming Cavalry's indoor football game Saturday night at the Casper Events Center. Moore, who has autism, attended the game as part of a specially-planned night for families who have children with autism. Photo by KERRY HULLER, Star-Tribune.

By ALLISON RUPP
Star-Tribune staff writer

Touchdowns, rushing yards and catches weren't the only stats that came out of Saturday's Wyoming Cavalry indoor football game.

James Jones, a running back for the Cavalry, wore a shirt that read "1 in 150" during warmups.

About 40 other people who attended the game wore shirts that read "1 in 150" across the front.

One in 150 children have autism, a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and problems with verbal and nonverbal communication.

Saturday night the Wyoming Cavalry and the Casper Autism Society sought to raise awareness about the disorder.

The team invited families with children with autism to arrive at the game early, around 5:30 p.m. and about two hours before kickoff, before the crowds showed up and their noise followed at the Casper Events Center.

Children with autism generally have trouble handling crowds, loud noises and fast movements, and if they can come to the game early and get situated before the crowd, it helps them acclimate better, said Argeri Layton, director of business operations for the Cavs.

Before Saturday, 5-year-old Josie Garner would wear headphones while watching the Cavalry to drown out the noise.

"Then, she stands out and isn't comfortable," said her mother, Christy Garner. "Today she is OK."

Garner, president of the Casper Autism Society, said it's helpful for Josie to come early and have the noise grow around her. She said the Cavalry offered her family and other families like hers "a great opportunity" Saturday.

The special night was the result of Berlyn Lammers, a 5-year-old with autism who has arrived at games early because her parents help the team with video recording.

Berlyn's mother, Joy Lammers, said the experience has helped Berlyn handle her sensory issues better and vocalize what bothers her.

At first, Berlyn was scared of Custer, the team's mascot. Now, she runs up and hugs him when she sees him.

"A lot of parents are intimidated to bring their kid to something like this," Lammers said. "They don't know how their kid will react or how other people will react to their kid. It's nice to be here with other families who know what it's like."

For the parents of the about 10 people with autism, ranging from 2 to 22, the greatest part of the evening was the fact that their kids had a chance to act like normal kids.

"She is part of the community," Lammers said of Berlyn. "For her to have a normal childhood, that is one of the biggest things."

Jenny Elmore said her 8-year-old son, Vincent VanVugt, just wants to be with his friends.

Vincent was helping a buddy sell 50-50 raffle tickets before the game to benefit the Casper Autism Society.

A lot of parents struggle with how to deal with their child with autism, Elmore said. It helps if the community has a better understanding of their behaviors.

"People just think they are naughty," Elmore said. "They're not."

Christy Garner said an event like this one helps raise awareness of autism within the community. She said many people think autism is far removed from Casper and Wyoming.

"We're in a very unaware population," Garner said. "This puts a face to autism."

Reach reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com