One thousand kids
Bow fi fisshing equals big time fun The Bottom Line Page 16
Currents feature
Leader
Josephine Owen crowned Miss Centuria Page 11
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WED., JULY 18, 2012 VOL. 79 • NO. 48 • 2 SECTIONS •
Readership: 13,800
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An award-winning weekly serving Northwest Wisconsin
The improving condition of Polk County
Royal fi firrefi fig ghters
Scattered ideas from supervisors PAGE 3
Resignation
Luck village administrator leave position PAGE 3
Wolf hunt approved
State’s natural resources board unanimous in vote PAGE 16
The new Centuria royalty suited up to take on the firemen’s water fight during Memory Days fun this past weekend. More Memory Days photos inside. Photo by Greg Marsten
Appeal filed
Autism support
Two Burnett County jailers appeal their termination PAGE 3
Bandits fall short of rival Braves See SPORTS INSIDE THIS SECTION
Families gather to learn, share as autism increases by Gregg Westigard Leader staff writer POLK COUNTY – “We thought we were the only people in the county with an autistic child,” Larry Wittmann said. “We didn’t know where to turn when the school counselor told us what might be an issue with our child. We wanted to cry.” The face of autism is varied. Described as a developmental disorder, an autistic child can have issues with communication, social interaction and repetitive behavior, but so can many children, so autism is an issue of the degree these issues affect a child. A common thing many parents say is that, even if they suspect that their child may have autism, getting recognition and acceptance can be slow and difficult. Seeking help sometimes starts only after parents get over avoidance or denial and start to reach out.
Zach was one of the young people at the Polk County autism support group picnic Saturday, July 14, and said he wanted a picture of him with his mother and grandmother. The group is reaching out to other families that include members with autism and Asperger syndrome, developmental disorders being identified at a growing rate. - Photo by Gregg Westigard
There is a way to start reaching out for area families. A group of parents are meeting monthly in Polk County to support each other, learning and sharing as they adjust to the issues, challenges and joys of having an autistic child in their family. Autism, a disorder which affects children, youth and adults in a spectrum of ways, is growing rapidly in the country. Autism and the related Asperger syndrome may affect one child in 88 as awareness and identification increase. Autism can occur in any family. The Polk County autism support group, which held its annual picnic Saturday, July 14, in Amery, meets on the third Thursday
Your opinion
Heat wave: 1. I’m trying to enjoy it the best I can, knowing cold weather isn’t that far off 2. I’m hiding from it - taking advantage of AC and the shade as much as I can 3. It’s literally making me sick. Go to our online poll at the-leader.net.Weekly results on page 8
Deaths
Charles R. Stine Alan Jones Robert L. John “Boy” Lemieux III Priscilla “Joyce” McPheeters Michael G. Mihna Nancy J. Fenton Leagh M. Casey
Obituaries on page 14-15B
See Autism, page 3
INSIDE Letters to the editor 9A Sports 13-15A Outdoors 16A Town Talk 6-8B Coming Events Back of B Letters from Home 3B Cold Turkey 3B Just for Laughs 3B Assorted chocolates 4B Copyright © 2012
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