Devon O’Brien’s son Ayden was diagnosed with autism at age 3.

But by that time, the Coaldale resident had suspected for more than a year that her son was on the autism spectrum because of his delays in speech and socialization.

“It was still upsetting, because automatically you think, what’s their future going to be like,” she said. “I still cried when I got his diagnosis.”

When her cousin’s son Colton started exhibiting similar behavior a couple years later, Devon told her that she should seek the services of a developmental pediatrician.

It would be a year and a half before the cousin, Kayla Leibensperger of Summit Hill, would get the news that she also expected, Colton had autism.

Their wait is not uncommon. The nearest autism center is in Lewisburg, and appointments regularly take months to schedule.

That’s one of the reasons that Kayla decided to form a team for this year’s Autism Speaks walk in Bethlehem, which will take place April 28. She hopes to raise money to help families across the country who are raising children with autism.

“It’s one of the largest walks in the area that help raise money for all the programs that are offered, so we don’t have to pay for it out of our own pockets,” Leibensperger said. “Speech therapy, occupational therapy and even physical therapy is all very expensive.”

Before they even take a step, Team Colton exceeded their $1,000 goal for the fundraiser. Now, they’re trying to see just how much they can raise.

Diagnosis was a life-changing moment for the two boys.

Kayla said her pediatrician would not accept autism as the explanation for Colton’s early development issues. But Devon explained her experience, and Kayla eventually went to the Geisinger-Bucknell Autism Center.

Ayden started on speech therapy before his diagnosis. But once it came, it put him in a better spot to receive the services he needed at school, Devon said.

“It was great once we had the diagnosis, when he goes to school then — it gives them ‘OK he has autism, so we’re going to focus on things to do with autism, not throwing him in to just a special needs class with other kids with all disabilities,” Devon said.

Colton, 7, and Ayden, 8, are happy, loving kids. Colton keeps to himself but is affectionate with his mom. Ayden loves making new friends.

“I think with autism a lot of people like to say they’re not social, they don’t like to be touched. But that’s not true at all,” Devon said.

But daily life for a family of a child with autism has its challenges. Much of it has to do with the stigma of the disorder. If Colton has a meltdown in public, or flaps his arms in a behavior known as stimming, it draws attention. And that makes her feel the need to explain herself.

“They look at it like ‘what is he doing?” or if he’s having a meltdown, ‘oh, he’s a spoiled brat,’” Kayla said. “It’s not being spoiled, and it’s not fun.”

Like all parents, they have big goals for their children. They hope some day that they’ll be able to live independently and perhaps graduate college. Short of that, Devon said she hopes that by the time Ayden reaches adulthood there is a group setting for him locally.

There are many specialized services which haven’t yet made their way to Carbon County. The Lehigh Valley has a lot more resources for autism support.

“I wish there could be more, to get them involved in Carbon County,” Kayla said.

To support Team Colton, visit https://bit.ly/2HycpJk.