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NATCHEZ – First awareness; then acceptance.

That’s the goal of organizers of the Second Annual Autism Awareness Day Walk & Gathering, taking place from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday on the Natchez Bluff.

Started in 2024 by Ronnie Calhoun and the Brightest Stars Foundation, the walk is expanding this year thanks to the added involvement of Taylor Cooley and Chandler Russ Brantley, both parents of children on the autism spectrum.

“We have three of our four children on the spectrum,” said Taylor Cooley, whose children with her husband, Trey, range in age from 12 to 3. “And a lot of people are completely unaware of what that’s like.”

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people communicate, interact and learn. Statistics estimate that 1 in 36 children in the United States are diagnosed each year having ASD, and the experience of sensory input varies wildly along the spectrum. Because of that, individuals with autism may find it hard to communicate and interact with other people.

“My son will stim or flap his hands when he is overstimulated,” Cooley said. “And one of our little girls gets really overwhelmed with noise, so she wears headphones in public … it helps her soothe herself.”

The range of sensory reactions is well known to parents with neurodivergent children but often misunderstood among the general public, Brantley said. “It’s called a spectrum for a reason … Every single case is completely different. All of the children on the spectrum are either sensory seekers or need less sensory input.”

But to the uninformed, those behaviors can easily be misunderstood and misinterpreted. That’s where education and understanding play a role, the organizers said.

“We’re hoping if more people can learn about this, we’ll see more compassion and empathy,” Cooley said. “We’re aiming for awareness, and with awareness comes acceptance.”

The event, which is free and open to the public, will include a walk along the Bluff; sensory activities for children; resources and educational information for parents, family members and the general public; as well as food, activities and fun.

“We have a food truck vendor who is donating 100% of the proceeds and we’ll have an ice cream truck on hand as well,” Calhoun said.

And, he said, the event will also be an opportunity for parents of children with autism to connect.

“Last year I saw six or seven families that I knew well out here walking and I never knew they were impacted by autism,” Calhoun said. “Just bringing people together gives us the opportunity to build that community.”

And to ask questions. “We just want people to know they can ask questions if they have them,” Cooley said. “People often want to be respectful and aren’t sure about asking questions, but we say you can ask any questions you have. We want people to know what this is and what it’s like.”