Riding for autism
For many parents with autistic children, coping with feelings of disappointment, learning to live in isolation or just avoiding disapproving stares from strangers in public places are daily battles. But it's fear for the future that has moved a few local families to find a different way to educate their children.
In September, the Charleston Autism Academy will open its doors to families of the Lowcountry living with autism and looking for an alternative educational program.
For nearly two years, several families belonging to an autism support group in Mount Pleasant have focused their efforts on opening a private facility where autistic children can receive intensive therapeutic and educational services. Buddy and Laura Misenhelter and Andy and Loreen Fisher are among those families and have spearheaded the campaign based on their frustrations with the public school district's special education curriculum.
Dr. Ibis Glass, the elementary special education services coordinator for 21 schools in the Charleston County School District, says she is always open to meeting with parents of special needs students and is willing to revise curriculum.
She added that her team is willing to cater to the individual needs of children with autism.
Andy Fisher, academy secretary, said unless a child is high-functioning and mildly autistic, the public school route often is not successful.
In collaboration with local educators, autism experts, therapists and community members, the academy will provide therapeutic and educational services to school-age children with autism.
It will be the first of its kind in the Lowcountry and among one of the few centers specializing in autism services throughout the Carolinas.
But "getting it started has been the biggest battle," said Buddy Misenhelter.
In order to provide autistic services, which generally are very expensive, the academy is search-ing for private donors willing to provide substantial support.
The academy will be able to accept the S.C. Pervasive Developmental Disorder Waiver, private insurance policies affected by Ryan's Law, S.C. Medicaid and Tricare, but for families without the help of third-party payment, tuition will be $13,000 per year.
On Sunday, the academy will host its first motorcycle ride and family festival to benefit its grand opening in the fall. Organizers are hoping to spread awareness about their cause and services in hopes of attracting donors that really could help the academy get on its feet.
South Carolina is lagging behind other states when it comes to providing organized therapy programs or formal education for autistic school-age kids, said Andy Fisher. And there are few options for families in the Charleston area. Home schooling or Montessori schools are the only other alternatives to public school.
It becomes much harder for the public school system to accommodate autistic students as they get older, said Laura Misenhelter. Her 12-year-old son, Aaron, won't be returning to public school in the fall. And the Fishers have taken their 7-year-old son, Dylan, out of the system as well.
Autistic children need intense one-on-one instruction in a quiet, low-activity atmosphere. There are several recognized teaching methods, but the academy will use the Applied Behavioral Analysis, one of the best-known programs.
"ABA therapy is the hallmark in teaching these children," said Laura Misenhelter. This approach breaks tasks down into smaller, simpler, step-by-step processes.
Research has found psychologist Ivar Lovaas' ABA method to be effective in teaching younger children. Through intense practice, they can make progress enough to stay on task with their peers and ultimately be able to conquer new tasks on their own.
The academy is not considered a formal school at this point, but it will be recognized by the state as an educational therapy center for autism. The academy's services will partially fulfill the requirements for both the state's Individual Education Program homeschooling program as well as separate homeschooling organizations. Fisher said they hope to provide some after-school or evening-based programs for autistic children who attend regular school.
The academy's goal is based more on survival skills, but it will incorporate some educational subjects. "Public schools miss the idea that this isn't about academics. I don't care if my son graduates from college, I want him to be able to function within society," said Andy Fisher.
Parents of children with autism have to look much further down the road. They have major concerns about what life will be like for their children as adults, such as if they will be able to be self-sufficient one day.
So instead of stressing multiplication tables and cursive writing, the academy will focus on teaching students how to count coins and make change or where to buy a stamp and mail a letter.
The academy will start off serving four children with a staff consisting of one lead therapist, two full-time ABA therapists, a part-time speech therapist, part-time occupational therapist and consultant behavior analyst. The academy plans to expand by adding more children to the program every four months thereafter.
The facility officially will begin offering services Sept. 9 and will be located at Unity Baptist Church on Whipple Road in Mount Pleasant. For information about the academy or to preregister for the motorcycle ride, visit www.charlestonautismacademy.org.
If you go
WHAT: The Charleston Autism Academy's first motorcycle ride and family festival to benefit the academy's grand opening in September. Proceeds from the event will go toward providing therapy to local children with autism. The family festival will feature food, live music by Broken Highway, a water slide for the kids, vendors, a raffle and auction.
WHEN: The ride begins at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Registration is 10-11 a.m. The family festival will begin at 2 p.m. following the ride.
WHERE: The starting line will be at Bodacious Bagels, 766 S. Shelmore Blvd., Mount Pleasant (I'On shopping center). The route covers nearly 100 miles of scenic back roads throughout the Lowcountry and ends at Nightmare Custom Cycles, 115 E. Main St., Harleyville, where the family festival will be held.
COST: $15 for one cyclist, $20 for a cyclist plus a rider and $20 for up to four car riders.
MORE INFO: Visit www.charlestonautismacademy.org.
