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NORTH ATTLEBORO - Just like other 4-year-olds, William Atwood likes to run.

On Sunday, he and his family will walk 1.5 miles to help children like him.

The Colburn Street residents have organized a team for the annual Autism Speaks: Southern New England Walk Now For Autism at Colt State Park in Bristol, R.I.

The Atwoods hope to raise $1,500 to $1,700 through the event, which promotes autism research and awareness.

William Atwood was diagnosed with the disorder at age 3. His mother, Melanie, did the 2007 walk, with her family cheering her on.

She had heard about the walk from the Early Learning Center in North Attleboro, where William works with teachers. The center had a team last year.

"I found it kind of moving that there were all these families with the same cause," Melanie said during an interview in the Atwoods' home.

"Even though every child is different, everyone was there on behalf of these children."

The walk moved Michael, as well.

"You see how wide the spectrum is. You see kids with different levels of autism," said Michael, an English teacher at Foxboro High School. "It's kind of sobering to see, first, how many cases there are out there."

The Atwoods didn't know William was on the autism spectrum until he was 3, when one of his day-care providers raised concerns about his speech, Michael said.

"Originally, we thought it might be a hearing issue," he said.

William was diagnosed first at Children's Hospital in Boston, then at Massachusetts General Hospital's Ladders program.

"You educate yourself," Michael said of the condition. "We always kept saying, 'Oh, I think we're three years behind, because we started so late.'"

William now attends the Early Learning Center, as well as speech, physical and occupational therapy.

"His speech has come a long way," Michael said. "His teachers have done a great job."

"He's asking a lot of questions now. He's very creative," Michael said. "You try to look for things that he's interested in."

To support the Atwoods at Autism Speaks, visit http://www.walknowforautism.org/sne/personal/mikeatwoodm