LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — April is Autism Awareness Month, and one Lexington mother is using Lexington’s food scene as a vehicle for education.
“I always say, feed your tummy and your heart, there’s nothing wrong with that,” said Susan Scott, the founder of My Autism Tribe.
She’s on a mission to educate the public about Autism Spectrum Disorder, a topic that is close to her heart. Her 5-1/2-year-old son is on the spectrum. She said he was diagnosed at the age of 2 1/2.
Scott made a promise to be her son Alex’s voice. She is making good on that through her non-profit My Autism Tribe. She has a podcast and is all about talking to people on a human level. This week, she’s hoping that conversation happens at the dinner table.
“Food brings everyone together, and the restaurants specifically in Lexington have been so supportive of the idea,” she said.
On Tuesday, nine different restaurants across Lexington will donate a portion of proceeds to My Autism Tribe.
Scott said that the Grazing Awareness event is great for her organization as going out to eat can be challenging for those with autism.
“There are a lot of sensory intake with that different smells,” said Scott.
Her goal is to have others understand that those challenges and differences aren’t bad, but beautiful. She said what a better way to do that than with a delicious plate of food.
“It’s just a way not only to bring everyone together but also just celebrate family and on the autism spectrum,” she said.
Click here for more information about Grazing Awareness.
