It Does Take a Village
My in-laws’ live-in nurse met the schoolbus as it drove up and gave Charlie his after-school snack.
Charlie’s speech therapist, whom we have known for a few years (first as his main babysitter), is working with him on his articulation and talking right now.
And, of course, there is Charlie’s teacher and the instructors in his classroom, the school speech therapist and the OT and his case manager and the administrators who run the program—there is the bus driver and the bus matron—-there are Charlie’s home ABA therapists and his home coordinator—-my parents, who arrive this weekend—-and Jim and I——
With due apologies to Hillary, it does indeed take a village to raise a child.
And if your child has autism, it’s a fine thing to see how a community can take root and grow around one’s lovely child.
4 opinions for It Does Take a Village
melanie
Oct 20, 2006 at 9:23 am
“And if your child has autism, it’s a fine thing to see how a community can take root and grow around one’s lovely child.”
I feel a little disapointed because I don’t find that to be the case. I feel that we are my sons “community” My best friend’s son is autistic, she is also my “community”The drop in day care(we used rarely) decided he wasn’t worth the extra effort. We FINALLY have new neighbors who are trying to get to know Michael. I can’t seem to find a babysitter. sigh, I guess sometimes it is about where you live?
melanie
Oct 20, 2006 at 9:27 am
I wanted to add that when you finally do find poeple who give your child a chance you are so appreciative….
melanie
Oct 20, 2006 at 9:29 am
I agree with your main point. It does and SHOULD take a community.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Oct 21, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Melanie,
It has a taken us a long time to gather ‘roung this little community to help Charlie. As for the bigger community of where we live, and many of the places that we go to, these have to fully embrace and acknowledge Charlie. Yes, it “SHOULD” take a community—-I’m always interestes in how to get more people who don’t have autism in their families to understand this.
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