Around 150 take part in ‘amazing, outstanding’ Walk for Autism 

04/08/25 - Autism Society of the CNMI held its annual Walk for Autism last Sunday with around 150 community members taking part in the stroll around American Memorial Park.

In the words of 25-year-old Maria Alyse Flores Guerrero, who was diagnosed with autism when she was 2 years old, the event was “amazing and outstanding!

“I walked two rounds, and it felt amazing. It's like the endorphins are waking inside of me. I felt like I'm a hawk,” the Herman’s Modern Bakery staff told Marianas Press in an interview.

Guerrero, the daughter of Rep. Marissa Renee Flores, attended the event with her mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother.

“They support and honor each other. They respect each other. Well, disabilities like these, we should support our families and help each other,” she added when asked about the importance of event.

ASCNMI president Clarice Arriola said the Autism Walk normally gets around 150-200 participants and last Sunday’s event was no different. 

“It's really just bringing our autism families together. Kind of like just being together and reminding each other that we're here for each other and that no one is left alone and we all understand what everyone else is going through. It's really nice to see a lot of extended families come out from the community and show their love and support.”

She then thanked all the family members, ASCNMI advocates, and staff of the Division of Youth Services who came out in full support of the non-profit during the event.

Arriola added ASCNMI, per se, doesn't provide any direct services, but it does direct the resources that are available—primarily from the Public School System—to help those diagnosed with autism.

She then encouraged community members and those that have family members with autism to reach out to ASCNMI. 

“With families I've noticed they usually have concerns when their child may be just recently diagnosed where they feel kind of alone, they're unsure of what to do, and so really just networking and connecting with them to remind them that everything's going to be okay, we're all in this together, and a lot of them eventually feel comfortable and then they feel the love and support that [the Autism Society of the CNMI] is able to provide to everyone else.”

ASCNMI board member Benjamin Babauta said he’s happy a lot of families came out for the Walk for Autism.

“We are very happy with the turnout and we also provided hot dogs and pizza for the kids and family that joined us today. I think events like these are very important because we do have a lot of more families that have people with disabilities, especially autism in the CNMI, so what we want is to provide support and awareness for the community.”

Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality acting director Floyd Masga also came out in support of a relative with autism. 

“It's a worthwhile event that everybody should be involved in as it builds awareness with regard to autism and other disabilities out there and special needs. Overall, in the CNMI, we have these concerns and we need more support and more funding as well, federally and support from our local administration as well, which has always been good.” 

ASCNMI board secretary Shawna Babauta said the Walk for Autism was organized to encourage awareness of those who are on the autism spectrum as well as show support for the families who care for them. 

“I consider [events like these] very important because we are not only inviting the families with autism, we're inviting the whole community so that they can see and be aware of the different types of, I guess, the severity of the children that are on the autism spectrum.”

She added that, for the most part, the community’s perception about autism has changed the past several years.

“I think it's changed quite a lot. I'm a mother of two children on the spectrum, one 10-year-old and one 4-year-old. And I was also a previous teacher with PSS. In my time with PSS and working with children with autism, and my time as a mother and then as a board officer, I've seen quite a lot of difference in means of support—means of support from our leaders and from our elders and from those who are also in our schools.”

Valerie Santos, whose son Landon has mild autism, said being part of the ASCNMI has helped her family a great deal.

“Four years ago, we found our community, our autism community and that's why we're here. It contributes to his well-being by seeing that he is different, but it's not a bad thing. And he sees people who are like him and the support that he has. We call [them] his friends. So, everyone here [are] all Landon's friends.”

Santos also has this advice for parents of children with autism: Don't be ashamed to come out and speak about a family member who has autism. 

“Honestly, it's always been something that we've been proud of. At first, it was scary, but to find our community and come together, it's been overwhelmingly such a joy. It brings so much joy to my heart. It's a good community. It feels nice to have people who go to similar things, and we don't feel alone.”

Story by Mark Rabago