COEUR d'ALENE - The T-shirt that LaNae Petersen and other supporters of her autistic son Garrett wore on Saturday described how the developmental disorder can transform families that rally behind affected youth.

"Autism is the journey that turns mamma bears into rock-solid grizzlies," the T-shirts of Team Garrett read.

Friends and family of the 5-year-old from Hayden were among about 650 people who participated in Saturday's fifth annual Walk for Autism Awareness, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Panhandle Autism Society at McEuen Park.

"Two years ago, it was impossible for Garrett to come to an event like this and he'd scream," Petersen said while watching her son enjoy activities before the walk and referring to how he formerly didn't fare well around crowds.

However, thanks to therapy to improve his communication skills, Garrett has made huge strides, Petersen said.

"He has 35 hours of intense therapy each week," she said. "He's the hardest working 5-year-old I know."

Jan Crook of Hayden, Garrett's great aunt, was among Garrett's spirited supporters.

"We've all come together to support him," Crook said. "He's the most loving boy I've ever met. His face lights up when he sees you."

Participants not only dressed the part to support the team of the autistic child they knew, but displayed signs and banners during the walk around the park on a brisk and breezy morning.

Parents usually notice signs of autism during the first two years of their child's life.

Shaylia McHenry said her son Jace was diagnosed 18 months ago when he was 2.

"He looks like a normal child," the Coeur d'Alene woman said, noting how it's difficult to notice signs much earlier. "We kept quiet about it at first, but you find other parents to talk to."

McHenry said the discovery caused the family to not eat at restaurants as much due to crowds, but they've learned to adjust.

"We've stayed away from certain events that aren't suitable for him to go to, but you have to learn to go with the flow," she said. "At the fair last year he had a breakdown and started to cry and kick, so we let him have his moment and when he was done he was fine. It's hard for a lot of people to understand."

McHenry said it has helped meeting other families with autistic children.

"That's been a big relief, and it's easier to talk about it now," she said.

McHenry said Jace has improved his social skills thanks to speech therapy.

"He's up to about 50 words now," she said.