skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

“Neighborly” Help for Ohio Families of Autism

play audio
Play

Friday, April 27, 2012   

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Autism Awareness Month is coming to an end, but the challenges continue for individuals and families affected by the disorder. A new "Neighbor to Neighbor" program offered by the Autism Society of Ohio is helping those touched by autism, by matching their families with a special volunteer who has been through a similar experience.

Ginny Bryan, information and referral coordinator, says "neighbors" chat by email or phone, and even meet one-on-one to discuss issues and resources.

"As a parent that gets the diagnosis, you can just feel alone, isolated – and just to reach out, to know that there's somebody there who can help you, if anything else just to listen to what you have gone through – it makes a world of difference."

Bryan says the one-to-one format of this program provides a complement to autism support groups. The Autism Society is recruiting volunteers to be "neighbors," and also looking for Central Ohio families who could use the program.

A similar program is offered in Cincinnati, and another is coming soon to the Akron area. And it is not only for the newly-diagnosed, says Bryan. There are Neighbor Volunteers with experience across the autism spectrum and lifespan.

"Starting from one side of the spectrum of a completely nonverbal individual, to someone on the other side that has been diagnosed with high-functioning autism or Asperger's [syndrome], and those two families are going through two different things."

Bryan says there are many life stages for individuals with autism at which families find they might need support, and others who have been down that path are some of the best resources.

"We can match the family up who has a nonverbal, autistic child up with a family that themselves has a nonverbal, autistic child and knows the schools that may be able to help them, or knows how to get an augmentative device, or knows a great speech therapist."

An estimated one in 88 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Interested families can call the Autism Society or visit its website, for more information.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021