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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