12th-annual Walk for Autism, 5K, held at MSSU

Despite some wind and a few sprinkles of rain the 12th annual one-mile walk for Autism and the new Yellow Brick Road 5K took place as planned Saturday morning at Fred G. Hughes Stadium at Missouri Southern State University.

The runs are sponsored by the Freeman Health System and the Ozark Center. Kristy Parker, director of the Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism says the effort is about being inclusive.

“What we know is one in 59 people have an autism spectrum disorder,” Parker says. “You need to know who they are, what their needs are and how you can include them in your community.”

The Yellow Brick Road 5K featured teams dressed in Wizard of Oz outfits. This is National Autism Awareness Month.