Autism Awareness is more than a month of service for Regions Bank and community partner Canopy Children’s Solutions; it is a never-ending commitment.
They’re sons and daughters, friends and family, and colleagues and neighbors.
They’re people you know and valuable members of our community.
Statistics from the CDC show nearly 5.5 million adults in America have autism spectrum disorder. The CDC also says roughly one in 44 children has ASD. While ASD can cause significant challenges in terms of communication, social interactions, or learning methods, we find an increasing number of organizations are committed to providing holistic support for people on the spectrum, along with their families.
Include Regions Bank in that group. Include our valued community partner, Canopy Children’s Solutions, as well.
April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to help more people understand the complexities of ASD while sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of people with autism. In fact, this is work that Canopy focuses on year-round.
Regions Bank and the Regions Foundation, a nonprofit initiative that is primarily funded by the bank, have been proud to work with Canopy for years. For example, the foundation supports the Early Intervention Autism Solutions program at Canopy’s Center of Excellence in Jackson.
The support Canopy provides, along with the work its staff is doing to equip schools to better serve students with ASD, is simply incredible. It is making a difference and helping children advance and explore new ways of learning.
At Canopy’s Center of Excellence, children are connected with innovative solutions and evidence-based practices that help them discover their unique abilities. In many ways, Canopy shows children new methods of learning, rather than simply telling them what to learn. You can see for yourself at www.mycanopy.org.
Regions Bank’s support of Canopy includes volunteerism and financial contributions over time. I am also honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Canopy. This experience has shown me how individuals and families here in Mississippi have access to best-in-class support and services that are on the leading edge of helping people with ASD overcome challenges and accomplish their goals.
An autism-friendly environment is important, not only in educational settings but in business settings as well. For example, Regions offers autism-friendly bank branches that include various accommodations to serve people with neuro-developmental needs.
The bank worked with physicians and behavioral psychologists to create an autism-friendly branch network so people can bank independently and with ease. Regions branch associates have been educated about autism and how to respond to a customer’s needs. Additionally, sensory packs and quiet rooms are available at Regions locations across the 15 states where we have branches, including here in Metro Jackson and throughout Mississippi.
We want to use this month to raise awareness of the need for greater inclusion of people with ASD, and we’re proud to pay special tribute to Canopy for the powerful role it serves.
The impacts made by Canopy will last a lifetime. And that’s a story worth sharing.
