New Iberia native Angela Gachassin-Stokes said she was devastated four years ago when her then 3-year-old son, Glenn Stokes III, was diagnosed with moderate to high autism.

Glenn, whom his mother says is very happy and “laughs every day of his life,” has achieved many milestones in the past four years, among them his first season with the Lafayette Little League. His diagnosis has decreased to “mild.”

Inspired by her experience dealing with Glenn’s autism, Angela has written a 500-page book aimed at parents of autistic children. She also started a Lafayette-based nonprofit organization to help autistic children and families with autistic children in the Acadiana area.

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Autism and the nonprofit group are “my passion, because it’s my life now,” the school counselor said.

Autism, says the Web site of the national organization “Autism Speaks,” is a “complex neurobiological disorder” that impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others, associated with rigid routines and specific behaviors. It affects one in 150 children, affecting boys four times as often as girls.

Although there is no cure, early intervention, says the Web site, is “critical” to gaining maximum benefit from existing therapies.

Gachassin said Glenn, although greatly improved, is mostly non-verbal, speaking in one-word “yes” or “no” answers.

However, he kisses and hugs her every day, is never moody and has no behavior issues.

“It’s amazing how he’s grown,” she said.

Gachassin received approval for the Autism Open Arms Foundation a while ago but was slow to start her non-profit organization because a “lack of connections.”

But when she attended the third annual Athletes Against Autism Golf Tournament in Santa Barbara, Calif., sponsored by Autism Speaks, at the end of June, “It was a blessing in so many ways for the contacts I was able to make,” she said. “God has opened my doors now.”

Those contacts are helping her jump-start her nonprofit. Within the next few years, she hopes to have a day camp specifically for autistic kids, provide stipends for autistic children in the area to participate in sports, hold workshops to teach parents how to teach their children in the home and hold three sporting fundraising events a year.

She is planning on inviting some of those she met in California for event next spring. She also wants to purchase play equipment for the families of autistic kids.

“Play is very important for sensory integration,” she said, noting swinging is an inherently soothing activity for autistic children. “It calms them down tremendously, emotionally.”

Gachassin’s biggest goal is to start a school specifically for autistic children so they do not have to attend special education programs.

Those who want more information about Autism Open Arms Foundation can contact Gachassin at autismopenarms@yahoo.com. The Web site www.autismopenarmsfoundation.com, also registered.org, is under construction.