Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Youngstown State University Football Players, coaches and staff instructed and mentored children Monday from the Rich Center for Autism. Nearly 30 students participated in the football skills camp. Center teacher Scot McClelland said all physical activity can be therapeutic for children with autism and reduce some of their nontypical behaviors. For many parents, it was the first time they got to see their child play an organized sport. Many parents, McClelland said, put that dream on hold when they receive the autism diagnosis. Autism is a neurological disorder affecting 1.5 million Americans.