“1 in 44 children will be identified as a child with autism. Frequently, those children experience challenges in communication and demonstrate unskilled behavior and social interactions in a community and school setting,” said Danielle Howard, the Mental Health Coordinator for Brownwood ISD. “It is frequently said, ‘If you’ve met one student with autism, you have met one student with autism,’ as the needs, talents, and skills of each student exhibit uniqueness and variety. Autism is identified as a spectrum, and may range from students who struggle to communicate at all, to those who struggle with social skills, and communication at a more advanced level. Understanding how to support and assist these students with success in a social world is paramount to building skills, creating long term success, and increasing community support and prosperity.” To help build community and support for the parents, neighbors, and friends of students with autism, BISD will hold their first parent support group meeting on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at 5:30 pm at 2707 Southside Dr, Brownwood, TX, in the Central Support Center.

“We would like to invite the support systems of those students to let us know what is needed, and our intention is to take that information and build ongoing meetings and support throughout the year so that we may learn together, and build support that is helpful,” Howard said. “Future meetings will be scheduled after feedback regarding convenience and need is collected from our family groups.” This first meeting will provide opportunities for parents and family members to provide feedback on their needs, as well as build connections within the BISD community. “Parents are invited to attend, as well as those in the student’s life who support those parents,” Howard said. “That may include grandparents, a neighbor, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. It is our belief that the more inclusive we are about education and support, the more families can embrace the hope of support and communication. No one should have to feel alone in a community that loves and supports so well.”

The BISD Autism Support Team received a two-year grant funding ongoing assistance and instructive opportunities. “We are providing services at an unprecedented level,” Howard said. “Firstly, families may receive ongoing support and education opportunities through our Family Support Specialist, Sheila Senkirik. Our paraprofessionals and teachers are getting intensive support through Autism-Specific Training from Kim Horton, Region 15, and Region 13 ESC’s focused on building skills and increasing the classroom success of our hardworking professionals who serve all of our students.  We have counselors Sharon Watson and Kerri Jacobson who will be working on assisting our existing Counseling and Mental Health Team in extending their capacity to be intentional in building an atmosphere of inclusivity and acceptance for our students. Additionally, we have a full time Skills Counselor, Brittiny Kelley, focused on assisting students in growth and development of skills including social skills, executive functioning, and communication skills. We are delighted to be working alongside our special education, 504, and RTI teams, though it is not necessary that a child participate in these programs to benefit from the grant services.” BISD’s Counseling and Mental Health team will be working in-depth with students, teachers, and families in order to grow the program and its community. “Our hope is that our families, all teachers, all students, and community at large will benefit from support and education,” Howard said. “Celebration of diversity, knowledge of skill, and an intentional culture of welcome inclusion creates positive growth and change for all including the families and students whether or not they are directly affected by autism.”

Register for the Parent Support Meeting by emailing [email protected] or calling 325-643-5644 ext. 1125. For more information regarding the parent support meeting or mental health services  follow the Facebook page, “Brownwood ISD Autism Service Support.”