CINCINNATI — In 2020, nearly 1 in 54 children were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One national organization is helping create awareness around it and raise money for research through a special event.

Cherie Short and her son, Lincoln, 8, got some playtime before the Autism Speaks Cincinnati Walk officially began at the University of Cincinnati.

Lincoln absolutely loves playing with balls. 

“Anything that has to do with a ball right now, that’s what he’s into,” said Short. “His interest will change from month to month. So right now, any kind of ball: soccer ball, basketball.”

Lincoln was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.

He’s non-verbal so that makes it a little challenging for him to interact with others.

“He uses a communication device to communicate,” she said. “So sometimes that makes it very difficult for him to make friends and to approach other children.”

The Short family decided to participate in the Autism Speaks Walk in support of Lincoln. It was their seventh year taking part in the walk.

They were among the hundreds of other families to join the event Saturday.

Autism Speaks, which was founded in 2005, is a national organization dedicated to helping provide resources to families with individuals with autism. 

“The more that we can do for Autism Speaks, the better,” she said. “They’ve done a lot for us. They’ve been a great resource for us and they provide a lot of scientific research.”

The Short family and friends raised more than $3,000 this year for the Autism Speaks Cincinnati Walk, adding to the overall total of more than $83,000.

It's just a little more than $38,000 short of the Cincinnati goal.

“We can contribute to that and hopefully pay it forward and help somebody else like we were helped by this organization,” she said. “If we can help other people that’s the goal.”