CHARLESTON, S.C. – On Sunday, dozens of community members gathered at the Charleston Public Library for an autism awareness and advocacy event. The event, hosted by Just Bee, a nonprofit organization aimed at fostering a more inclusive world for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, sought to educate the public about autism and its challenges.
The Mission Behind Just Bee
Just Bee was founded by Layla Luna after an upsetting experience at a restaurant with her autistic son, Rio. While waiting for a table, Rio experienced sensory overload, which caused frustration among other customers. Eventually, the restaurant asked Luna and her family to leave. As she wiped away her tears with her daughter’s bee-themed blanket, Luna had an epiphany. She asked herself, “Why can’t people just bee nice?” This moment led her to create an organization dedicated to making the world more welcoming and accepting of neurodivergent individuals.
“My quest was to be able to create a world where he could have dreams, love, friends, and a beautiful future,” Luna said, speaking about her son Rio and the inspiration behind the organization.
Supporting the Community and Raising Awareness
The event at the library was made possible with the help of Charles Hammond, a member of the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry. He emphasized the importance of better understanding neurodivergent individuals and creating more awareness about the challenges they face.
“I think that we need to be aware that this community is larger than we may have been aware of and that life can be very difficult for such individuals, and the more sensitivity that we can have would go so far,” Hammond shared.
Attendees were given information on autism, its different manifestations, and the various initiatives and successes of Just Bee. One significant achievement highlighted was the passing of Rio’s Bill, named after Luna’s son, last year in South Carolina. The bill allows families of individuals with autism to apply for a specialty license plate that notifies first responders that a neurodivergent person is inside the vehicle. This alert ensures that emergency vehicles will not use sirens or lights when approaching the car, reducing potential stress for the individual.
Rio’s Law and the Rise of Autism Awareness
Luna, reflecting on Rio’s Law, shared her pride in what she achieved, saying, “Rio’s Law for me was the time I found my voice and that I knew that a mom can do something. I can actually make a difference, and if I can rise up, then anyone can change their world, can change their community, can change this planet.”
The event also focused on the growing prevalence of autism in the U.S. According to the CDC, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased from 1 in 50 children in 2000 to 1 in 36 in 2020. In South Carolina alone, over 72,000 individuals are affected by ASD, according to the South Carolina Autism Society.
A report from the South Carolina Palmetto Autism Study Committee recommends training for school counselors on autism spectrum disorders. In response, Just Bee launched initiatives like the “Just Bee My Friend” program, which aims to teach kindness and inclusivity to elementary school students and educators.
Creating a More Inclusive World
Luna’s vision doesn’t stop with the school programs. Her organization also created the Just Bee app, which helps neurodivergent individuals find autism-friendly businesses and locations. “We need to collectively be mindful and create a world where parents, families, and these individuals have an opportunity to have the same as everybody else,” Luna stated. “It’s not about the disabilities; it’s about the possibilities.”
Looking forward, Luna has exciting plans in the works, including introducing vending machines with sensory-friendly items for public spaces, creating sensory rooms in airports, and developing a first responder database to identify neurodivergent individuals who may need special assistance.
