New Group Hopes To Support Families Affected By Autism

Elizabeth Bailey

In early December, a new resource for families will begin in Decatur County.

United Families and One Community One Family have been hosting support group meetings to educate parents in Ripley and Dearborn Counties and are now embarking upon similar groups in Decatur and Franklin Counties.

Kathy Riley, Family Support Specialist with United Families, explained that as a parent of a child on the ausbergers / autism spectrum, she felt all alone for many years. As the family struggled to work with schools and other programs to promote her son’s success, she wished she could find a means of support. For parents, having connections with other families can prove invaluable in meeting the needs of children, she noted, especially those with mental illness or other challenges. This is the niche filled by the support group that will soon form here in Greensburg.

The meetings offer parents a chance to interact with their peers and receive educational information on a variety of topics. Meetings have focused on creating an individual education program, discussion of the 40 developmental assets, information on “sexting” and a variety of other topics. Although the program focuses on matters close to home for families with children who have behavioral or emotional issues, all families can benefit from learning to advocate for themselves, Riley explained.

The monthly meetings, which will likely begin on the second Tuesday of December, offer a meal as well as baby-sitting. Foster parents can receive 2 credit hours for each meeting.

Sarah Simon and Mark Deamron, Systems of Care Resource Facilitators with One Community One Family, explained that Systems of Care facilitates meetings that enable families to identify supportive figures in their lives. Families determine their own course of action, and the program focuses on strengths and successes before needs and concerns.

“This is not about telling families what to do,” Deamron said.

The family builds its own team, made up of whoever they feel is necessary in supporting the success of the child, Simon noted. Through monthly support group meetings or more regular Systems of Care gatherings, the organizations work to make sure kids’ needs are met.

Riley, Simon, Deamron and Mary Garvey, MA, LMFT, Manager of Child & Adolescent Services for Centerstone, all noted that one of the goals is to promote acceptance of difference. Too often, they noted, mental illness is stigmatized.

“Everyone is more than a diagnosis,” Garvey said.

Through promoting awareness and education, the programs hope to prevent students from being left behind due to being misunderstood. Education also empowers families to enable kids to thrive.

The meetings, Riley explained, take place in a relaxed atmosphere and offer education on many topics that every family needs. To find out the exact time of the first meeting, watch for flyers and check future editions of the Daily News. Once a final date is established, Parent Gatherings will always be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., potentially on the first or second Monday or Tuesday of the month, at Centerstone in Greensburg.

To participate, RSVP by calling 812-934-4210 so organizers can make sure to arrange for enough food and baby-sitters.

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