For the past sixteen years I’ve supported families and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on behalf of Autism Ontario Ottawa. For ten of those years I facilitated the Ottawa Asperger Syndrome Parent Support Group. I enjoy connecting people to resources but one of the biggest rewards is when a family who has been on the list for many years emails to thank me for the information but asks to be taken off the list because their son or daughter is now doing so well they no longer need the information. This is real progress!
I’ve advocated for better educational services, social skills programs, and adult services —most recently as Chair of the Asperger Community Planning Group—a group of agencies and individuals working to fill service gaps for those with Asperger Syndrome and as past Chair of the United Families of Eastern Ontario— a coalition of families and groups seeking to improve the lives of those with developmental disabilities. Recently I was honoured with a nomination for a Celebration of People’s Award as a disability advocate. While grateful for the nomination, I consider it an honour and privilege to work on behalf of these amazing people and their families.
The passion for my work stems from my role as mom to a young adult with Asperger Syndrome. My daughter has opened me to the world of special needs and taught me about both the challenges of special needs parenting and the gifts a child with special needs brings to a family. It has also taught me about the need for balance. To this end, in 2006, I co-authored, with Guelph writer Amy Baskin, the award-winning book “More Than a Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs.” I’ve given many workshops to parents and professionals on ASD and on the importance of life balance.
My volunteer work and personal experience naturally led to my interest in facilitation. As a family member I know what it is like to be worried about your child’s future and to want for services. I know that I bring to the facilitation team strong communication and organizational skills, advocacy experience and community contacts, but most importantly a passion and commitment to work with families and individuals in our community to help them achieve their goals.
