Asperger Help

Thursday, May 18, 2006
BY DAYNA R. BROWN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
PEORIA - Parents of autistic children say they are devastated by a mother's apparent killing of her 3-year-old child with the disorder, but some understand how a parent can be driven to such a desperate act.
While not supporting such an act, parents said the stress of raising a child with this complex disorder is sometimes unbearable. While support groups, friends and families can help, it often is a lonely and terribly frustrating journey for the parents.
"No one can understand. It is devastating. It can break you, even the strongest of mothers. Only other parents going through it can truly understand," said Libby Taylor, president of ANSWERS, an autism support group.
Dr. Karen McCarron of Morton is accused of suffocating her autistic daughter, Katherine, on Saturday, reportedly telling police she wanted to "end her pain and Katie's pain."
Autism is a developmental disability that affects an individual in the areas of social interaction and communication.
Parents deal with the frustration of not being able to secure services, dealing with the outbursts and sometimes being pushed away from the children they so dearly want to help.
Taylor, who has a 6-year-old autistic son, said her message to other autistic families is "be verbal and be loud and don't be afraid to say, 'I have these needs.'"
She recommends joining a support group, like ANSWERS, which McCarron was a member of, and creating a support network of family and friends.
"Parents need to talk to other parents because parents of children with autism are going to relate better," said Julie Matthews, executive vice president of programs at Easter Seals.
One of the biggest frustrations locally is there is no central location for people needing autism services to go for help, Matthews said. While Easter Seals has plans for this type of facility, the money isn't currently available.
Easter Seals does provide pediatric therapy and has an early diagnosis clinic for children suspected of having autism.
One Easter Seals program for parents called "Respitality" provides gift certificates for hotels, restaurants and theaters so parents of special-needs children get a night out. There is also an in-home respite program that allows families a weekend away.
"Having a child with a disability places a stress on a family," Matthews said.
There also is a need for a school for autistic children, similar to the one McCarron attended in North Carolina, autism experts said.
The Mariposa School provides year-round instruction for children with autism, and McCarron had attended from October 2004 through April 27.
"The students all have one-on-one therapy and each child's program is tailored for them. . . . That allows them to make great progress, and I can tell you, Katie had made some great progress here," said Cynthia A. Peters, president of Mariposa School. "We are missing her, and we all loved her dearly."