Autism Awareness Festival Held in Brownsville

by Tony Vindell/LFN

Children games, pony rides, hula hoops, music and many other activities were part of last week’s Autism Awareness Festival in Brownsville.

The event, now in its third year, was held at Dean Porter Park.

Since it was held to inform what implications autism might have on people, many of the participants were from companies involved in health-related issues such as home health care.

Cynthia Gonzales, with Costa Therapy Institute, said they offer speech therapy services while Jeannette Garcia was introducing healthy foods from a company called Country Boys Quality Meals.

“We are relatively new,” she said. “This is our second event we’ve attend .”

Jessica Guerrero, a home health administrator with Texas Nurse Care, said they serve the entire Rio Grande Valley.

“We cover Brownsville to McAllen, Los Fresnos and many other cities,” she said. “We have expanded to include hospice and accept referrals from doctors.”

Benny Gonzalez, with an organization that hosts the event, said the festival is held to bring families together.

“The main goal is to inform people of the impact autism might have on a community,’ he said. “It’s an important event.”

Matamoros resident Maria Teresa Rocha and Oreli Teran of Brownsville said they enjoyed the festival.

“This is pretty good,” Teran said. “Good for children, their parents and for families.”