We first heard about the Autism Support Group of Genesee County (ASGGC) through a newspaper advertisement in the local paper. The ad said they were a non-profit organization focused on the support of families with kids on the spectrum and with a mission of creating a residential community where these future adults will be able to live happy, productive and involved lives. As the parents of 4 daughters on the spectrum and with no neuro-typical siblings to rely on to look out for them once my husband and I are gone, the thought of an organization solely focused on the helping people on the Spectrum, right in my local community, was like finding gold.
The services the ASGGC has provided me and my family include (1) workshops that are up to date on how to use and collaborate with the schools on the IEP’s which are the keystone for accommodations and success of kids on the spectrum navigating and completing their grade school and secondary school experience. (2) Workshops on dealing with bullying. (3) Workshops on sensory training. (4) Workshops on the workings of the mind of kids with ASD and how to adjust how information is presented so that they can keep up and absorb it. (5) Workshops on behavior modifications and how we as parents can use their strengths to achieve progress on their goals. From all of these workshops, we have been able to adjust how we live our lives to reduce stress and increase learning.
The ASGGC has provided opportunities for my kids to have social training through family fun events such as bowling, swimming, teen socials, Halloween and Christmas parties, camp, picnics…and so on. The ASGGC provides opportunities for social interactions that are relaxed, non-judgmental and accepting for our kids. For a parent having a child on the spectrum and putting them into social environments is always a stressful, but can also be so depressing, sad and disappointing, that you start avoiding them…but with the ASGGC events, the atmosphere is always accepting because everyone there is dealing with the same thing. You are a part of an extended family that understands everything you are going through, because they are too. It is life saving for many of us. You feel you are not alone anymore.
In addition to all this, the ASGGC is moving forward and making progress on the future residential project. This is a long term goal and it will take some time, but I am confident they will get it done.
With all that said, through the ASGGC, My family and I have made many new friends, learned new skills to use with our kids, successfully graduated one of our girls from grade school and is now taking college classes, have developed a positive attitude towards our future and for the first time are hopeful….just that ….we are now hopeful again for happy , productive lives for our kids.
I found ASGGC nearly 6 years ago after my sons were diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. With the help of ASGGC I was able to find ways to make my childrens lives better. We are one large family. It takes a community to raise children with Autism. ASGGC is trying to connect the dots between the parents, schools and professionals. Very proud to be a member of ASGGC.
Review from Guidestar