AUGUST 3 • 2023 | 25
coverage they might have for
therapies, to helping find the
right doctors and schools,
all the way through helping
place autistic individuals in
good-paying jobs.
No matter the question, the
navigator becomes a resource
to families and individuals
seeking assistance.
“You can call any of them
and they’ll say, ‘Here’s who
you talk to about a trust,
here’s who you talk to about
an Individualized Education
Program, here’s who you talk
to about employment,
’” Lenny
Kerwin explained. “They
will point you in the right
direction and navigate you
through the entire process.
”
According to Berke, AAoM
is a resource for the entire
Michigan community “along
the entire lifespan, from diag-
nosis through employment
and independent living, not
just for the individual but for
the family,
” he said. “That’s
really important, because
every single family is going
to be different and have their
own unique challenges.
”
Kim and Berke have talked
about trying to get the Jewish
community more involved
and making sure they know
AAoM is available as a
resource for them, as well.
While the money raised
goes a long way, Kim has
turned into a resource of her
own — something she says
has given her an additional
sense of purpose.
“I’ve had a couple phone
calls from fellow Jewish
mamas whose kids have
recently been diagnosed, and
it’s really nice to be one of
their first phone calls,
” Kim
said.
“It’s easy to get over-
whelmed when you get the
diagnosis. It’s like, where do
you turn? What do you do?
There’s a lot. And I always
say, first and foremost,
go check out the Autism
Alliance of Michigan, because
they’re a great resource and a
phenomenal organization.
”
To learn more about this year’s
walk, visit AAOMwalk.com. To join
and support Team Bennett, visit
AAOMI.convio.net/goto/teamben-
nett. To learn more about AAoM,
visit AAOMI.org.
The Kerwins:
Kim and Lenny,
daughter Shaye
and son Bennett.
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