KEARNEY, Neb. -- A non-profit’s efforts to spread awareness about autism is making a difference in Central Nebraska.

Brittney Anderson helped organize the Kids & Dreams Foundation Autism Conference in Kearney. She first attended the conference five years ago when she found out her son had been diagnosed with autism. 

“This conference was the first time that I felt like I could be in a room where other adults were going through something very similar that our family was going through or that I could sit and someone shared a story and I didn’t feel alone,” Anderson said. 

The Kids & Dreams Foundation started in 2014 when executive director Aaron Bly’s son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three.  

Now in its eighth year, the conference drew about 170 people. 

“We just really felt it was important to just get as many different options out there as possible." Bly said. "When you’ve met one individual with autism, you’ve met one individual with autism. So, what may work for one person, may not work for somebody else.”

Over 20 non-profit organizations from all over Nebraska come to educate about their services and nationally known speakers attend. 

Anderson said the benefits of attending the conference include families learning about police resources, as well as legal information. 

“Getting to meet new families, as well as gaining tons of incredible resources,” Anderson said.  

The Kids & Dreams foundation also hosts a summer camp for autistic kids called Operation Shine Camp.