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Autism support
group gives parents an opportunity to meet,
share experiences
Raegan Reimer has created
a group where parents can find camaraderie and
common ground.
Reimer, a special education
teacher, started teaching a class for children
with autism at Winding Creek Elementary School
in Moore. She soon became interested in finding
a way for parents of the students to meet and
talk about topics that relate to the disorder.
"I wanted them to
have that network."
So, during the 2009-10
school year, she organized an autism parent
support group that meets once a month. Reimer,
a former J.D. McCarty Center employee, believes
the group has been helpful to parents.
"They get the support
of other people who understand what they're
going through," she said, adding that they
also "learn more information about what
parents are trying and what is working."
Reimer also found support
from others when she started working to form
the group. She discussed her idea with David
Higdon, an occupational therapist with the McCarty
Center who also works in Reimer's school and
others in the Moore school district.
"He was a good sounding
board for me" and supported her initiative,
said Reimer, who worked at the McCarty Center
for two years as a direct care specialist.
Higdon also volunteered
to share information with the group that he
learns through workshops about autism, such
as about treatment strategies.
Reimer received approval
from her school administrators to organize the
group and the first meeting was in February
2010.
Attendance has ranged from
seven to 12 people at the evening meetings and
some of the topics discussed have included behavioral
strategies and the use of gluten-free and casein-free
diets in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
Reimer said the meetings
focus on subjects that are relevant to the parents.
"I want to meet the
needs of my parents. I really kind of let them
tell me what we need to talk about."
Her upcoming plans are
to invite guest speakers to the meetings, including
Higdon.
Higdon said he believes
the group is beneficial because it helps parents
feel less isolated when they are faced with
different issues concerning their children.
Through a support group they can hear about
how other parents are having similar experiences.
Reimer has also received
positive feedback from the group members.
"They really look
forward to coming to the meetings and to learning
new things and having that camaraderie with
other parents."
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