Med High campus holds Autism Awareness event

MERCEDES – South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High) located in Mercedes held an Autism Awareness Q & A session on April 12. Freshman and sophomores gathered in the campus cafeteria to ask questions to local professionals about the disorder.

Professionals who were in attendance included: Dr. Olga Gomez M.D., Dr. Michael Balderas M.D., Eric Perez (Occupational Therapist) and Lora Pena (Speech Therapist). Each professional explained symptoms, potential causes and what practices are being used to assist the autistic.

Students received a new knowledge over autism, which is caused by complex disorders during brain development.

April is National Autism Awareness Month and World Autism Awareness Day was set on April 2. Pena mentioned the group Autism Speaks who promoted the Light it Up Blue campaign this year. Med High staff and students wore blue bracelets, shirts and light up pins in participation with the campaign on April 2.

Med High, one of four high schools within the Exemplary South Texas Independent School District, is an open-enrollment magnet school focusing on the various medical careers. STISD serves students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. For additional information, visit www.stisd.net.