Published: November 11, 2007 11:10 pm      

TOWN OF NIAGARA: Mother and son hope billboard will kick-off autism education campaign

For Monica Moshenko, the blank canvas on the billboard overlooking the I-190 in the Town of Niagara looked like the perfect spot to take her life’s mission to a new level.

The former Town of Tonawanda resident posted a massive message there. Featuring a picture of herself and her 14-year-old son Alex, the billboard reads; Buy A Home For Autism.

“Lamar (the company that owns the billboard) donated the space,” Moshenko said. “I picked this place — on a highway — because I thought I’d get more attention.”

What Moshenko is looking to draw attention to is a plan that she and her son have to sell their home, buy an RV and begin a cross-country tour to champion the cause of those with autism and other related disabilities. Alex was diagnosed with a form of autism at the age of 6.

“We came up with the idea for the tour last summer,” Moshenko said. “We thought, what a great thing to do, to take our message and go across the country.”

Her message is one of recognition of autism in its early stages and treatment to help children cope with the disorder. She says she faced a “grueling experience” as a single mom trying to get Alex the help he needed.

“You have to do the research and advocate for your child,” Moshenko said. “Sometimes you cry and think, ‘Why is it so hard?’ ”

Moshenko said the difficulty facing children with autism and their parents is a lack of awareness of the disorder and all the different forms it can take. In an effort to raise awareness, both Moshenko and her son began radio programs, first on WXRL AM and now on the Internet.

Among the guests who have joined her on her program are Jenny McCarthy, Henry Winkler, Terry Garr and U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“If there are 56 million people with disabilities (in America) there should be lots of (radio) shows like this,” Moshenko said.

A nationwide tour (possible because Alex is home schooled) would also follow on the heels of new government estimates that one in 150 children have some form of autism. Fourteen years ago, only 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with the disorder.

Groups and individuals like Moshenko, advocating for more research and treatment money call autism “the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States.” Doctors, including members of The American Academy of Pediatrics have begun calling for the screening every child for autism, at least twice, by the age of 2.

“There are so many people out there that need help,” Moshenko said. “The sad part is I get phone calls from parents here and across the country looking for help.”

With the sale of her house, she might be able to help get them some.

Contact reporter Rick Pfeifferat 282-2311, ext. 2252.