Autism fair connects kids in need

Seth Johannsen did not believe it when the doctors first told him his 3-year-old son has autism.

Even though the diagnosis gave a logistical reason for Isiah's tantrums and frustrations, Johannsen said he and his wife were both distraught as they came to terms with a disorder that could dominate their son's life.

Two years later, Johannsen, 25, is doing everything he can to learn more about autism and possible treatments, as well as find a support network of other parents who face the same struggles. On Saturday, he eagerly attended the 3rd annual Autism Awareness Fair, hosted by Family Soup.

"It's just good for support and to see other parents and talk," he said. "It's just nice to be able to relate."

Helping to forge those connections is a major goal of the fair, said Lynell Rice Brinkworth, Family Soup program director.

"Living in Yuba City, people tend to feel pretty alone, especially raising kids with disabilities," she said. "It's a long, tough road for many families, but there's lots of other people here to help and support you."

The multipurpose room at Butte Vista School was filled Saturday with booths offering resources, autism literature and a wealth of toys, games and books that promote sensory development and control.

"Oh my gosh! That stuff is really sticky," said 8-year-old Michael McFee, as yellow putty clung to his fingers.

His father, Tom McFee, looked on as his son played with therapy tools at the Sutter County Occupational Therapy booth. Michael plunged his hands deep into a bin of beans, jacks and rubber bugs, pulling out the items he's fascinated by most.

He and other children buttoned and unbuttoned felt leaves from a cloth tree, hammered pegs into slots and tried on weighted vests to control their motions, laughing and smiling all the way.

"He seems like a normal kid most of the time, but he has emotional meltdowns real easy," McFee said.

For Michael, a simple haircut or a trip to the movies can push him into a fit and then reclusive silence for five minutes or five hours. Many people think autistic children are simple acting out and improperly raised, but the disorder is much more complex than what meets the eye, McFee said.

He wishes other family members would attend an event like the fair so they could learn more about Michael and why he acts the way he does. The general public could also learn more about autism so they are not so quick to judge.

But the event has benefits for McFee and Michael's mother, too.

"We can see what to expect in future years as he gets older," he said. "It just gives us new ideas for him and what he likes."