Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania to Host 1st Annual Autism Community Walk on April 27, 2025, in Bethlehem
Bethlehem, PA – [April 21, 2025] – Magellan Health, Inc., a leader in behavioral health and related services, announced today that Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania, Inc. (Magellan) will host the 1st annual Autism Community Walk in Bethlehem to celebrate National Autism Acceptance Month, in collaboration with Lehigh County HealthChoices, Northampton County HealthChoices, Autism Society Lehigh Valley, and NAMI Lehigh Valley. This free event is open to the public with a focus on sharing important community resources for transition-age individuals and adults with Autism. The event will be held on Sunday, April 27 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Saucon Park (parking lot is located at the intersection of Millside Drive and Dearborn Avenue in Bethlehem, PA 18015) and attendees are encouraged to wear walking shoes.
Magellan administers behavioral health benefits throughout Pennsylvania with HealthChoices contracts in Bucks, Cambria, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Northampton counties.
The 1st Annual Autism Community Walk will include:
- Keynote presentation by Karen Beck Pooley, who will read “Listen Up: Autistic Youth Need to Be Heard,” a recently published article in Pediatrics by her son, Jace Pooley. Jace is a nonspeaking autistic 16-year-old who is a high-school student in the Lehigh Valley.
- Welcome remarks from Autism Society Lehigh Valley, NAMI Lehigh Valley, and Magellan.
- Autism resources and promotional materials for all attendees to include navigation guides, important contact information, and helpful tips for families (while supplies last).
- A .6-mile community walk led by Jace Pooley through the neighborhood adjacent to Saucon Park.
- Family entertainment activities to include rock painting, cornhole games, and ping pong.
- Light refreshments.
“Magellan, together with our county partners and community stakeholders, understand that Autism is not a ‘one size fits all’ diagnosis, and we do not view treatment as a ‘one size fits all’ approach either,” said Tom Walker, senior account executive for Lehigh County and Northampton County, Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania. “Autistic individuals and their families may face many challenges, but you need to know you are not alone in this fight. There are strong advocates right here in our community, and we look forward to sharing important resources in a family-friendly environment at the Autism Community Walk on April 27.”
For more information on Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania and to find local autism resources for PA HealthChoices members and their supports, go to www.magellanofpa.com/autism.
About Magellan Health: Magellan Health, Inc. supports innovative ways of accessing better health through technology, while remaining focused on the critical personal relationships that are necessary to achieve a healthy, vibrant life. Magellan’s customers include health plans and other managed care organizations, employers, labor unions, various military and governmental agencies and third-party administrators. For more information, visit MagellanHealth.com.
Information provided to TVL by:
Aubrey Proud
