Support groups, Play groups, etc is there any funding or grants to start one?

[Guest guest]

Sandy what part of va do u live in? i am in roanke. thanks loretta

( ) Support groups, Play groups, etc is there any

funding or grants to start one?

Hi,

Since removing my son from public school its been a relief not to deal with

uneducated people who don't care to learn about the spectrum. But, I feel

badly for people who must use the system and must work. I have found 0

support groups 0 play groups for aspergers or autism kids here in southern

Va. I would love to open a place to give parents support, kids a safe place

to play and parents some respite help. Plus a lending library of books,

games, therapy ideas etc for these kids. I know many of us don't feel

capable or understood in even our own families. One woman I met said she would

love to go to church and won't because churches assume its the parents not

disciplining and fail to see the diagnosis. I know I can't speak for all

groups or people here. Here in Henry County Va we have the highest

unemployment in the state at almost 18% for those who can still apply and

haven't

run out of benefits. The schools here try very hard to push off IEP

evaluations in favor of monthly child studies and goals ( which I cannot find

one

law that supports this). The children are required to fail child study

goals before an IEP is discussed. I was told they wouldn't even take the

neuro docs evaluations that all evaluations must be done through the IEP

process if the child study group finds it needed. ( basically when your child

fails, great for self esteem ). My point being many things are being dropped

on the kids here. We have only one OT here that takes kids and does rice

play and swinging with them. To truly get services we have to drive about

an hour away. The county has over 7000 students, not including the city

schools. Doing the math I know we have more than 70 kids plus city and home

school kids in the spectrum. Needless to say, something must be done and I

know I will hear we have no money for this ma'am. The parents need

support the kids need help and the school system needs a major shake up. Sorry

for rambling... Now to my question.. Has anyone started a support group,

play group etc and did you receive funding and from who? Please tell me your

story .. Thanks so much and again sorry for rambling.

Sandy in Va

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Since removing my son from public school its been a relief not to deal with uneducated people who don't care to learn about the spectrum. But, I feel badly for people who must use the system and must work. I have found 0 support groups 0 play groups for aspergers or autism kids here in southern Va. I would love to open a place to give parents support, kids a safe place to play and parents some respite help. Plus a lending library of books, games, therapy ideas etc for these kids. I know many of us don't feel capable or understood in even our own families. One woman I met said she would love to go to church and won't because churches assume its the parents not disciplining and fail to see the diagnosis. I know I can't speak for all groups or people here. Here in Henry County Va we have the highest unemployment in the state at almost 18% for those who can still apply and haven't run out of benefits. The schools here try very hard to push off IEP evaluations in favor of monthly child studies and goals ( which I cannot find one law that supports this). The children are required to fail child study goals before an IEP is discussed. I was told they wouldn't even take the neuro docs evaluations that all evaluations must be done through the IEP process if the child study group finds it needed. ( basically when your child fails, great for self esteem ). My point being many things are being dropped on the kids here. We have only one OT here that takes kids and does rice play and swinging with them. To truly get services we have to drive about an hour away. The county has over 7000 students, not including the city schools. Doing the math I know we have more than 70 kids plus city and home school kids in the spectrum. Needless to say, something must be done and I know I will hear we have no money for this ma'am. The parents need support the kids need help and the school system needs a major shake up. Sorry for rambling... Now to my question.. Has anyone started a support group, play group etc and did you receive funding and from who? Please tell me your story .. Thanks so much and again sorry for rambling.

Sandy in Va