OREM -- When Karen Fairchild's son was diagnosed with autism, she and her husband looked around for local resources but couldn't find any. They had to drive to Salt Lake City every day for treatment.
The lack of resources is what prompted Fairchild to get involved in the autism community, and 20 years later Fairchild has been honored for her work in the autism community as the recipient of the first Autism Hero Award from the Autism Resources of Utah County Coalition.
"I felt embarrassed when I found out," Fairchild said. "I don't do what I do to get awards."
The coalition was founded in August as a way to bring all the autism resources in the community together to help fill in the gaps between services and help families transition from service to service as their children age.
Christopher Lindsay, chairman of the coalition and development director from Clear Horizons Academy, said they started the award because they wanted to recognize those who had helped develop autism resources in the community.
"We realized there are heroes in our community, whether they be parents or volunteers or community members," Lindsay said. "There are people who have made amazing sacrifices to help move the autism community forward."
After Fairchild's son was diagnosed, she realized two of her older children were somewhere along the spectrum for autism disorders as well. Fairchild has worked in the autism community for years, spending time advocating for services for her own children in the school districts and creating a network of support for others dealing with the same issues.
She has served for seven years as a board member and as president of the Autism Society of Utah, worked at Giant Steps for nine years, first as a teacher's aide and then as a case manager, and is working as a social worker at Kids on the Move in Orem.
Fairchild said her motivation for getting involved in the community was partly selfish.
"I wanted to connect with other parents, I wanted to know other people who were going through what I was going through. I needed help," she said. "When I learned new things I wanted to share that information so everyone doesn't have to learn the hard way."
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Mother of five named Autism Hero Award recipient