New support group focuses on autism

Community is all about people coming together. In our community, there are many who meet to help one another, such as RSVP, the food pantry and the clothes closet.

Now there is a new group that is being formed by Deanie Bergbreiter and Dee Siedleck, moms who have children on the autism spectrum. It is a support group for parents to learn about new advances in dealing with autism and related behaviors.

Each month the group will present a speaker who will offer information that is beneficial to the group.

"We also have the opportunity to offer support and share ideas with one another," Bergbreiter said.

The group started in January and seven moms made it to the Batavia Panera for the meeting.

"It was the night of a blizzard and we had quite a few people call and cancel, including the speaker," Bergbreiter said. "However, we did get to know one another and share information. We talked about peer pressure and what the kids have to go through at school."

Often, parents feel alone in dealing with their children's learning situation. The support they can get from a group with like concerns, as well as the information from a speaker, can be very beneficial.

Most parents of children with any kind of special need realize that they have to be the advocate for the child. I have a friend whose child couldn't ride in the car without getting very upset.

Through a support group, she learned that many autistic children cannot handle excessive peripheral vision stimulation. She purchased special glasses that had side blinders and her son was able to enjoy a car ride without being upset.

When a child has trouble in school, parents can often turn to one another for help before going to the district.

"It can be very frustrating for a parent when you feel that your child needs more help than the services that are being offered through the school district can provide," Bergbreiter said. "If you learn what is available through the schools, you realize that often all you need to do is ask."

Bergbreiter is quick to point out that the Batavia school district is trying to work with the parents.

"Our district shows so much promise in trying to help these kids," she added.

The group will look at different areas in dealing with children on the autism spectrum, including diet and medicines.

"Some of the medicines are very strong narcotics with serious side effects," Bergbreiter said. "Parents need to know that before they agree to let their child take those medicines."

The next meeting of the group takes place at Panera Bread, 154 W Wilson St., Batavia, at 6:45 p.m. Thursday. The speaker will be Myra Christian from the Illinois Family Resource Center on Disabilities. Christian will address the group about understanding your child's special education rights under Illinois law.

On April 24, social worker Karen Peterson will speak about the balance between being an advocate for your child and maintaining a good relationship with your child's educational team.

The May meeting takes place May 29 when Rhonda Brunett, author of "From Autism to All-Star," shares her son's journey about dealing with autism.

For details about this new group, contact Deanie Bergbreiter at BataviaAutism@yahoo.com or call (630) 406-0810.

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