Windy became acquainted with autism when her son Bailey was diagnosed at the age of 4. While she knew there was something going on with him because he had not made many milestones of a typically developing 4 year old, the diagnosis of autism brought more questions. “the only example of the disorder for me was Dustin Hoffman in ‘Rainman’”

Bailey has been fortunate to be blessed with a wonderful teacher at Charlotte Elementary School that has worked with him and encouraged him to open up and blossom. This last May for awards day he was awarded the Lucas McClain Award for Outstanding Effort and Improvement In Physical Education. Now, at the age of 10, Bailey loves singing and dancing. He is a performer through and through.

“Bailey is considered a mild/moderate high functioning autisic. He is verbal and does carry more conversation now than he did at a younger age. There are times when he has “bad days” when he doesn’t want to talk to anyone. He doesn’t understand the basic concept of money. He doesn’t understand “why” a lot. It doesn’t matter to me. When he tells me “I love you mom”, I know he understands that.” says Windy.

Bailey and other autistic children and children with autism spectrum disorders are why Windy signed up to do the 2nd Annual Walk NOW for Autism in October. In order to get donations for the walk she and several of her friends with SOUS are putting together the Rock for Autism concert.

The Rock for Autism concert will be September 5th at the Dickson County Housing Authority. On the line up are area bands Disarray, Mindsplitter, Downslave, The Hero Brings Revenge, Bradbury and a special appearance by Bailey Dotson. There will be a silent auction and food also. Doors open at 5pm and the concert starts at 7pm. Admission is $5. For more information visit www.myspace.com/sousforautism.

We applaud the amazing lineup of musicians:

The Alison Brown Quartet Casey Driessen Jars of Clay The Silver Seas Blue Mother Tupelo Derek Webb Sandra McCracken Madi Diaz Gretchen Peters The Old Ceremony Julie Lee Jennifer Niceley Jeff Black Megan McCormick The Early Evening Kingbilly Andrea Zonn The Bittersweets Paul Burch David Berkeley Claire Small The Contrarian Ensemble Robby Hecht Peter Bradley Adams Sonia Leigh Kindling Stone David Dewese Steven Delopoulos Craig Carothers Angus White Eric Wilson & Empty Hearts Kevin Gordon Eric Zarycki & The Persuasion

We would like to extend a very special thank-you to Pat Wright and the entire staff of Montgomery Bell State Park, Eric Lankford, Steve Cordell, Holly and Jeremy Spencer/House Blend Coffeehouse, Tommy Marvin, and The Dickson Herald.

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The next event is scheduled for the second weekend of October 2009. To stay updated, please consider joining our mailing list by clicking on this link: http://www.americanafolkfest.com/index.php?com=r…