A 7-year-old boy from Norwalk and the organization that's helping him are raising awareness about autism during Autism Acceptance Month.

The prevalence of autism, ADHD and learning disabilities are at all-time highs. But there is hope.

From a very young age, Ben McDonald from Norwalk has been very intelligent. He loves math and was converting fractions when he was 2.

"Most children or adults with autism are gifted in certain areas of the brain, but other areas are underdeveloped," said Doctor Mark Goldenberg with Brain Balance Center in Norwalk.

Brain Balance in Norwalk has helped Ben and other kids with autism, ADHD and learning disabilities smile.

"He's become so much more confident in himself, he's stronger and just being able to see the positive moments that he's always had," said Sam Solomon with Brain Balance Center.

The 7-year-old really cares about others too.

He's been invited by State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff to talk about banning foods that are bad for you.

"Artificial food is really bad for our body. I want to ban that," said Ben.

"He goes to the grocery store. He sees things with too much added sugars and food dyes, he tries to hide them on the shelves so people can't buy them," said Ben's mother Niki McDonald.

"Artificial food dyes are really affecting brain health overall and Ben is an amazing advocate," said Solomon.

Brain balance has been able to work with autistic kids like Ben without medicine.

"Toxins in the air, stress reactions, sedentary behavior all of these things can change the way our genes produce proteins but those can be reversable by proper stimulation, proper diet, proper movement and that's what Brain Balance is really all about," said Goldenberg.

Doctor Goldenberg says COVID really set a lot of kids back.

He says getting outdoors and interacting with people is the best medicine.