This population is so very different from what I have experienced before and the behaviors I have witnessed over the past 2 years have been extreme and sometimes heartbreaking. I am working along side families and special needs organizations and the lack of resources and the challenges families are facing can seem insurmountable.
I was recently part of a grant funded program that was aimed at students with autism spectrum disorder who were in crisis. We worked with the students in the home with their caregivers and family and also in the school environment. We bridged the home/school gap and helped parents and teaching staff to provide supports and interventions to the students. I was devastated when the grant ran out and we were unable to fund the program any longer. There is no feeling worse than having to turn parents and families in need, away.
Right now I am promoting my current program and also collecting information about resources and supports in the five boroughs that will provide services to a whole range of special needs. My aim is to be able to direct families to at least one organization that can help them if I am unable to.
No parent/caregiver should have to hunt high and low for services, they should have easy access to information and support. My goal is to provide as much of that as possible.
