35 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. ShemCreekRes taurant s . com showcase our town and the community’s work in bringing awareness to the often underrepresented part of our community, giving recognition both locally and nationally to organizations that are making a difference. Our town has so much to be proud of, and being able to share our story will hopefully inspire others to promote inclusivity across the nation,” he stated. The 2023 All-America City Award strives to create a mutually beneficial relationship between youth and their local communities. In addition to enjoying a greater sense of pride and collaboration in their city, award finalists and winners often experience a boost to their economy and increases in tourism and grants. Recognized cities also attract and retain residents that want to live in a healthy, inclusive and accommodating community. Building a sense of community in which children and young adults feel safe, welcome and included is the ultimate goal. Many Mount Pleasant organizations and businesses are already committed to improving the lives of community members with special abilities. They share the town’s vision of a community where all individuals are supported and encouraged to make a difference. Layla Luna, Founder of Just Bee, and mother to a child with autism spectrum disorder, worries that children and adults with special abilities are isolated because the world is often not a safe and friendly place for them. She founded Just Bee to connect supportive businesses with families hesitant or unsure of how to engage with their local community for fear that their disabled members will experience discrimination. Luna established Just Bee after an incident she and her family experienced at a restaurant when her son Rio had a sensory overload meltdown. Sensory meltdowns are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD. Sensory meltdowns happen when a person with autism is overwhelmed by their environment or situation and cannot control their behavior. The loss of control is often expressed through yelling, crying, kicking and other external signs of distress. The person is not purposely misbehaving or drawing attention to themselves. They are simply unable to regulate their emotions and behavior due to their condition. Today, Luna says that despite growing awareness, she and her family spend most of their time at home. Her son cannot go to crowded places, cannot tolerate bright lights and loud sounds and is oftentimes mistaken for a spoiled or bratty child. Luna cites that autism spectrum disorder does not have physical traits that allow the public to recognize a child or adult with autism, therefore, the general public isn’t able to distinguish when a behavior is the result of the disorder or otherwise. Autism is a neurological developmental disability. According to the CDC, as of 2023, 1 in 36 or 2.8% of 8-year-old children have been identified as having autism spectrum disorder. The numbers are up from the previous 2018 estimate that found a prevalence of 1 in 44 or 2.3%. Luna expects the numbers to continue to rise. Autism diagnoses, explained Luna, do not only affect the individual but the entire family. The fear of sensory meltdowns keeps many families from engaging in local communities. They cannot go to the movies, eat at restaurants or attend farmer’s markets and events. They sit out for fear that their loved one will be ridiculed — or worse — threatened or even arrested for displaying behaviors they cannot control. Just Bee has partnered with the Town of Mount Pleasant to build autism awareness locally. The organization recently designated Mount Pleasant as the Lowcountry’s our town “Autism diagnoses do not only affect the individual but the entire family.” – Layla Luna Lay l a Luna , founder of Jus t Bee.
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