SPECIAL  RECOGNITION — For his efforts to aid youth with autism, Jason Polgar of Follansbee was presented proclamations from Gov. Jim Justice and Randall Reid-Smith, state Commissioner of Culture and History. On hand for the presentation were, from left, Reid Smith; Polgar’s father, Joe; Polgar; and Tim Pannett, principal of Brooke High School. -- Contributed

FOLLANSBEE — A Follansbee teen received special recognition recently for his efforts to aid youth with autism in developing their verbal skills.

Jason Polgar, a Brooke High School student, received proclamations recognizing his service to the community by Gov. Jim Justice and Randall Reid-Smith, state Commissioner of Culture and History.

Presented by Reid-Smith at the school, the proclamations came about the same time Polgar, his family and fellow members of the Christian Assembly of Follansbee were preparing for a walk to raise money for Ryan’s Prayer for Hope and Healing for Autism.

The charity was formed by Polgar when he was 9 to provide iPads on which a communications app could be downloaded to help children with autism “speak” to their parents and others.

The son of Barb and Joe Polgar, Jason had seen such an app help his brother, Ryan, for whom it’s named. Initially diagnosed as nonverbal, Ryan was able, with time, to speak in sentences of several words.

Since last year he has sung “Country Roads” with others at the walk.

Held May 26 at Follansbee Middle School, the walk raised about $3,500 through registration fees, a Chinese auction and the sale of bracelets and other items.

There also was a sale of used items related to autism, such as therapy toys, flash cards and books on the subject donated by participants and others.

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of complex disorders affecting brain development and to varying degrees, social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Their cause hasn’t been determined.

To date, Ryan’s Prayer for Hope and Healing for Autism has distributed 20 iPads for area youth, including one used for children with special needs in Brooke High School’s pre-school class.