Seahawks GM takes on new challenge: Autism

When John and Traci Schneider’s son, Ben, was just over a
year old, they began to realize something wasn’t right.

“He wouldn’t point to things, he wouldn’t talk back to us, we could say his name a hundred times and he would never look at us or respond,” Traci says. “He didn’t want to interact with us, he didn’t socialize with other kids his age. And then his temper tantrums kicked in.”

But determining what was wrong was extremely difficult.
It took over a year before Ben was diagnosed with a form
of autism.

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of
complex neurodevelopmental disorders known as Autism
Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The other ASDs are PDD-NOS
(Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise
Specified) and Asperger’s Syndrome, according to Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Washington, a Bellevue-based autism support organization.

The Schneiders were relatively fortunate. John’s career
as a longtime NFL executive with several professional
football teams – including the Green Bay Packers and now the Seattle Seahawks, where he serves as general manager – afforded them the opportunity to seek out the best care. But many other families don’t have that opportunity.

“The process that it took for us to get to the diagnosis
is so challenging and so emotional, and if you don’t have
the financial resources to do the things for your child to get better then you’re stuck. So now you know there’s
something wrong with your child, but you can’t do anything about it,” Traci says.

That’s why John and Traci have dedicated themselves to
helping other families dealing with autism. They’re
launching “Ben’s Fund” in partnership with FEAT, which
will provide grants to families in order to help cover
costs associated with medical bills, therapies and
numerous other aspects of supporting a child, or children, on the autism spectrum.

The effort comes as the number of autism diagnoses
continues to skyrocket. Just last week, the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention reported one in 88 children – and one in 54 boys – is affected with autism.

“Something’s going on and we need to figure out what it is and we need to figure it out fast,” says John.

Diagnoses are difficult and treatment can be costly.
Most insurance plans don’t cover autism, leaving many
families struggling to cope. And experts say early
detection and treatment is key to helping kids develop and lead healthy lives.

The disorder affects entire families. From wild,
unpredictable behavior to complete emotional detachment,
John says it can be a daily rollercoaster.

“It is not just an issue for these kids. It’s an issue
for the entire family and it’s hard. It affects your
neighbors, the siblings, you can be at a restaurant and
things can just fall apart. The mothers are just
unbelievable and the siblings have to be unbelievable as
well,” John says.

Fortunately, organizations like FEAT are there to help.
The group provides a variety of support services to kids
and families alike dealing with autism.

“We have some friends of ours that when their son was
diagnosed they called FEAT and ended up talking with
someone on the phone for two hours (about) just what to
do, where to go, suggestions, and thoughts,” says Traci, who now volunteers as a member of FEAT’s board of directors.

The struggle for the Schneiders and others continues
daily, but there is hope that with increased awareness
and funding, better treatments and possibly cures can
ultimately be discovered.

“There’s always hope, we have seen that with our son. He
has definitely gotten better with everything that we have
done over the past seven years. So we are very fortunate,” says John.

Now, when they tell Ben they love him, he says “I love you” back.

John and Traci Schneider will host the first annual
Prime Time: A Spirited Celebrity Waiter Event on Thursday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m. at El Gaucho Bellevue to raise money for “Ben’s Fund” and FEAT.

This distinct community event includes a VIP dinner, live
and silent auctions with Seahawks players, coaches, scouts and alumni featured as celebrity waiters. Confirmed celebrity waiters include WR Doug Baldwin, CB Brandon Browner, assistant head coach Tom Cable, head coach Pete Carroll, SS Kam Chancellor, DE Chris Clemons, former Seahawks DE Jacob Green, former Seahawks QB Brock Huard, QB Tarvaris Jackson, RB Marshawn Lynch, TE Zach Miller, LT Russell Okung, WR Sidney Rice, former Seahawks FS Brian Russell, former Seahawks DT Craig Terrill, SS Earl Thomas, former Seahawks C Robbie Tobeck, and former Seahawks DL Manu Tuiasosopo. NFL reporter and FOX NFL Sunday analyst Jay Glazer will serve as event emcee. The event is presented in partnership with the Seahawks and the Seahawks Women’s Association.