The kick-off gathering for the 10th Anniversary Walk Now for Autism Speaks community event that will be taking place in November was held in the Historic Fullerton Ballroom, Saturday morning.

Enlightened by volunteers and family members of loved ones with autism, Walk Now for Autism Speaks serves as the nation’s largest autism walk program, and is the number one fundraising and awareness event that reaches out to various communities in the United States and Canada.

Focusing on research, awareness, advocacy, and family services, Autism Speaks has been dedicated to funding research into causes, prevention and treatments for the cure for autism, since 2005

The kick-off event included various motivational and energetic speakers from all different forms of interaction with Autism, as well as Autistic speakers themselves.

One speaker by the name of Izzy Paskowitz, spoke of his personal experience and connection to Autism through his Autistic son.

“Let your child make you a better person,” said Paskowitz.

Founder of Surfers Healing, an organization that puts natural remedies into prospective, Paskowitz described his struggle and success with the diagnosis of his son, to the healing process himself and many more affected by Autism have witnessed through his unique therapy.

Executive Director for Autism Speaks in Southern California, Matt Asner, spoke of his direct interaction with Autism as well. Having grown up with a brother diagnosed with Autism, and now a son, he verified that it has defiantly changed his life.

Asner, described the Walk Now for Autism Speaks event as an injection of hope. He explained that without hope we have nothing, and this type of event gives people the feeling of hope.

“I want to have a positive impact on the world through my son,” said Asner, “The problem with Autism is its invisible, if you’re not directly affected by it.”

The walk will be held on November 16, 2013 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. Pre-registration will begin for those that haven’t registered prior to the event at 9:00 a.m., and the walk will begin at 10:30 a.m.

This event welcomes the entire community, and will consist of a 5k walk and an Autism resource fair, including up to 60 fair vendors.

“Come be a part of something bigger then yourself,” said Pam Eisenberg, Senior Director of Autism Speaks in Southern California.