Nancy P. learned about the About Special Kids through First Steps in 2002 and has been in contact with the organization since then. One of her two daughters, 5-year-old Marissa, has autism and has trouble communicating verbally. Although Nancy has used various resources such as the Autism Clinic at Riley and Crossroads, she has stayed with ASK for so long because of their willingness to advocate and fight for her child. "If you don't fight for your child, they might not have a promising future," Nancy said. She noted that it is hard for Parent Liaisons to appear in person, but that they are extremely helpful over the phone.
ASK is always willing to support her and help her deal with everything from getting her daughter more speech therapy to fighting her daughter's possible suspension for biting a teacher.
ASK has provided educational information not only for Nancy, but for the entire family. Nancy has found ASK to be so helpful that she recently referred a friend, who has a child with a case similar to Marissa's, to the Article 7 Special Education training.
In the past, their family have been turned away from doctors who said that they simply "did not deal with autism." In a world that is hard for families of children with special needs, ASK makes parents like Nancy feel as though they are not alone.
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