Parents love their children no matter what, and parents need to provide their children with the support they need to grow and develop. With an increasing rate of children and young adults being diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), parents face additional challenges causing stress and frustration in their daily lives . Fortunately, this is not something that parents have to deal with on their own. There is a strong network of professionals available to help parents and children in need of support services. It is important to listen to experienced professionals, such as Board Certified Behavior Analyst Anthony Bronaugh Sr. M.Ed., BCBA, and Kate Swartz (Autism Society of Northwest Ohio Executive Director) who can assist parents and originations to ensure that they have access to the resources they require.
The Importance of Utilizing a Parent Support Group
One of the first points that Anthony Bronaugh Sr., M.Ed., BCBA believes all parents need to keep in mind is that a parent support group can be extremely beneficial. Sometimes, parents may have a difficult time figuring out what they need to do to provide their children with the right guidance and support. Listening to the experiences, challenges, and solutions of other parents can be helpful at any point during their journey. By committing to attend a parent support group and actively participating, caregivers will know that they are not alone, and they will pick up a few ideas that they can use at home to help their children.
Navigating Insurance To Maximize Your Coverage
Furthermore, getting help for a child with autism can be expensive. Not every insurance plan provides appropriate coverage for specialty visits that might be necessary for a child with autism. The Autism Society of Northwest Ohio, led by executive director Kate Swartz (419-490-0111) and the many Board Certified Behavior Analysts in Northwest Ohio (Ashley Kahler, Alexa Casper, Johanna Sutton, Rachel Waggoner and Sheena Hogue (to name a few), are available and excellent BCBA’s specializing in ASD and behaviors. It is highly recommended that parents reach out to a professional (case manager, insurance provider or ASD center, BCBA, etc.) who can help them find the right insurance plan with the necessary benefits. For example, there are some children with autism who may need to visit a professional therapist once per week. Then, there are other children with autism who may have to enroll in a school specializing in ASD. There are other programs for adults as well (Bittersweet Farms, The Arc of Ohio, Sunshine Children’s Home, etc.) that have proven track records of helping families. Although this can be expensive, parents have options through their insurance plan that can help them maximize their coverage.
How To Gain Access to State Funding and Grants
Parents also need to learn more about how to access state funding and grants. There are some states that have money set aside for families with children with ASD. This money can help parents make ends meet if they have to take time off work to bring their children to an appointment. For example, one of the best resources is the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio. This is an organization that provides a wide variety of resources for parents. Parents might be able to find funding to offset some of their expenses.
Provide Children With the Support They Need
Ultimately, these are just a few of the most important points that people need to keep in mind if they are looking for resources that can help parents of children with autism. Autism can vary significantly in terms of its scope and severity, and that is why parents need to understand that there are many resources that can help them provide their children with the support they need. AB Education and Behavior Consulting LLC provides a support group for parents every third Wednesday of the month at Sylvania Playland in Sylvania, Ohio from 5-7pm. You can register for this monthly event on the website under the blog tag.
Support Group Testimonials
We had so much fun! It’s rare to be in an environment where there is zero judgment, where our kids can just be themselves, and we parents can relax for a bit. Thanks for the fun night out! We’ll be back!
I really enjoyed today’s Autism Support Group! It was a safe environment where parents and guardians could communicate and feel understood. It was also very informational about resources available if needed. Sylvania Playland was the perfect place as the kids were entertained!
Another fun evening where my daughter was free to be herself! There is nothing better than watching my daughter free to explore in her way! So grateful to meet new parents all at different spots in their journey of raising their unique little ones!
Fabulous being able to meet someone from the Autism Society face to face! It really helps make reaching out for resources that much more simple and comfortable.
Thank you so much for bringing us together!
Yes. I feel like being a parent of a special needs child, especially a single parent, is like being on an island where you feel alone and isolated. This support group made me feel less alone and offered opportunities to meet other parents and even professionals who can be there for support or resources. My son and I will definitely be back!
Getting resources from other parents
It felt great to know that we aren’t alone and there’s others out there who go through things like us. It was also great to be aware of the resources available.
I need to leave my youngest at home lol
Getting info on schools
Having it at a place where the kids can play and have fun was awesome and having dinner was even better so my son was able to burn energy and be fed without having to go home late and worry about dinner with a cranky, hungry, 4 year old with autism.
Laidback setting helped Anthony to enjoy his time there.
Having familiar faces there from Hopebridge for my son was very helpful. All of the options for him to play, and the open space for him to run in a safe environment. It was a good mix of all of his favorite things. This was honestly the first autism parent support group event that I’ve ever attended and I was very glad that we did! Thank you for providing the opportunity. 🙂
being able to run around and express himself freely without judgment was the best thing ever!
We were able to connect with other families and share resources while our kids got to play SAFELY
Having a safe, judgment free space to play was nice.
Seeing that you’re not alone with being surrounded with similar families
