I spoke with my son’s case worker yesterday, and she wants to set up an appointment with me and his dad to meet with the administrators of a place called the Rich Center for Autism.  I’d heard of it before but thought that is was something that we couldn’t afford, not knowing that their services are free of charge to parents of children within the autism Spectrum – which includes Asperger Syndrome.

The caseworker feels that JJ would greatly benefit by attending school there, and also taking part in their therapeutic services, counseling, etc.  They also have support groups for parents, and many other family services.

I looked up the Rich Center on the internet last night, and I have to admit, I am impressed. More than impressed, actually.  I didn’t know that it is connected to Youngstown State University (YSU), nor did I know that it provides classes/services/degrees for educators to learn about the autism spectrum, and learn how to teach children on the spectrum.  Further, I guess I had assumned that once you send your child to an autism center, that they would be labeled and have to attend a school “like that” for the rest of their lives. That’ll teach me to ‘assume’.  The Rich Center actually teaches children to reach their full potential so that they can be ‘mainstreamed’ into public school – hopefully by high school age.

Additionally, the children go to school year ’round.  They do this because these kids do tend to regress during long summer vacations. I know my son seems to be regressing already. 

If you’re so inclined, check it out. You may know someone with a child on the spectrum who could use this kind of help.  The Rich Center for Autism.  There are many other centers like this, possibly one in your area.

I’m truly looking forward to taking a tour through this center.  God seems to be opening the doors for us.