Jackson and GlenOak teens team up to create Court One autism support network

JACKSON TWP. − Four teens are taking up the cause of advocating for more research of autism and accessibility to educational resources for those with it.

Siblings and Jackson High School students Anisha and Manav Rawal and best friends Rachel Gortney and Shishir Tallada from GlenOak High School are the team behind Court One, a nonprofit launched this summer to achieve that mission.

Co-founder and co-president Anisha Rawal, 17, said the idea behind Court One is inspired by personal experience that's become her passion.

"Growing up, one of our parents' best family friends, one of their sons had nonverbal autism," she said.

"And in growing up with him and understanding how he was different than us, but he also is not different than us, but the opportunities that he was receiving were different. It was just because of a lack of access that was something that really resonated with my brother and I. We wanted to make sure that what we were doing and starting was something that was very personal to us, so we had the consistent motivation to continue it on and try to grow it into the best we possibly could."

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What is Court One?

Manav Rawal, 15, co-founder and copresident, explained the meaning behind Court One, noting he and his sister play tennis for Jackson.

"Court One usually means 'primary focus,'" he said. "So we're trying to level it out and make it more equal opportunity for everyone. That's our main focus, providing equal opportunity for everyone on the spectrum, both terms of academic and research opportunities. We identified that within autism education and special education, those opportunities aren't there."

Anisha Rawal said Court One held its first fundraiser, a bake sale, at their parents' medical offices in July. They are the son and daughter of Drs. Ish and Meena Rawal.

Eighty percent of the more than $400 they raised went to the Golden Key Center for Exceptional Children in Canton, where many students are on the autism spectrum.

"The money is being used to improve their facilities, improve their technologies, helping both verbal, and non-verbal children to learn in the best way possible," Anisha Rawal said. "And because of their nature as a non-profit, it is imperative that we are able to help them."

In August, Court One had a fundraising booth at this year's India Fest, where they raised an additional $500. Gortney and Tallada also co-chaired a children's book drive at GlenOak High School in September, with plans to donate the books to Golden Key.

Gortney, 17, serves as Court One's Ohio branch treasurer. Tallada, 15, is the Ohio branch events coordinator.

"We reached out to many libraries within the Stark County area to see which ones we're willing to host a book drive," Tallada said. "We found that the one closest to our high school, the Plain branch, was willing to host (it). We were able to get so many books that really helped."

Gortney said she was heartened by the response, noting that GlenOak offers open enrollment for students with autism.

"It was really cool; I personally would like to go into education," she said. "So, especially for students with autism, that type of simulation of being able to be engaged in a story is really crucial. And also being at a school where, of course, they're learning to read, it was just really special. Being able to see how the community came together to donate to an organization that a bunch of high schoolers started was really unique and it was amazing thing to be part of."

Plans for the future

Anisha Rawal, who graduates this year with plans to study neuroscience, said she intends to continue Court One activities in college, as her brother and Tallada lead the effort at the high-school level. She said Court One has had discussions with the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio and the Autism Society of Akron in hopes of future partnerships and collaboration.

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Tallada said he's considering studying biomedical engineering, which could be applied to help those with autism.

"Creating new technologies that can help people throughout the medical field and those who don't have the access to technology or, in this case, education that people really need and deserve," he said.

Already, their effort has spread.

"Because we saw so much success in our very first event, the first step we took was to contact one of our family members in Michigan," Anisha Rawal said. "So, we are now located in several different states, and are hoping to now branch out to North Carolina. Since then, we have had two additional events in Ohio and three additional events in Michigan."

She said misconceptions about people with autism remain.

"What's so important for people to understand is kids on the spectrum are often the most intelligent and curious students in the world," she said. "And a big part of that why that curiosity isn't developed is because they're simply not given the opportunity."

To learn more, visit website at www.courtone.org or on Instagram at court.one

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Teens create Court One to support those with autism