Mother addresses autism
ZELIENOPLE — When Andy Limbacher exhibited his first signs of Asperger's syndrome in 2001, his mother found little support for dealing with the disorder.
"He was in third grade when the school suggested that he might have Asperger's syndrome or high functioning autism," said Mary Limbacher.
"That was after a year of 'What's wrong with Andy' kind of meetings."
For Limbacher, the meetings still haven't stopped.
Describing the lack of help and understanding as life in "another, parallel world," Limbacher eventually took action, starting the Cranberry Cares support group with a woman she met in her doctor's waiting room.
The group, geared toward families dealing with high-functioning youths on the autism spectrum, is in its sixth year. With 100 families on the mailing list, Limbacher recently opened Parents in Toto, a community outreach and resource center.
Open on Main Street since late January, the volunteer-staffed center is offering a variety of programs for families and youths dealing with Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism.
"For the last two or three years I thought 'There needs to be someplace people can go and not have to worry about catching a monthly meeting,'" Limbacher said recently at the center, where youths played games and worked on art projects while parents were treated to massages.
Ann and Ray Rafferty of Cranberry Township were among visitors that day, having learned about the site through Cranberry Cares.
"We've interacted with these folks, but it's mostly through e-mail," Ray Rafferty said, explaining that the logistics of parenting three children often leave him unavailable on meeting days.
With Parents in Toto open at various times throughout the week, Ann Rafferty said she looks forward to interacting in person.
"You immediately want to connect with other people who share your concerns. There's friendship to be had," she said.
As part of the center's networking opportunities, it is hosting a father's support group, a mother's group, and groups specific to girls and boys of various ages.In addition to books available to read or buy, Limbacher plans to host presentations."I'm definitely planning to have some speakers who have been involved in autism over the years," she said, citing Rebecca Klaw, a Pittsburgh-based trainer, as one possibility.Limbacher said speakers like Klaw reflect increasing knowledge of the autism spectrum since Andy was first diagnosed with Asperger's.One of several disorders on the spectrum, Asperger's is a milder form of autism, with symptoms that include impaired social skills and communication, highly restricted interests and repetitive behavior."They can sound pretty monotone. Their faces can look pretty flat and unemotional — and the irony of it is that these children are so intelligent," Limbacher said."They're very clever, and it's unfortunate that the exterior doesn't represent what's going on inside."Limbacher said although the disorders present a wide range of symptoms, many children also have difficulty with sensory stimulation and need specificity in their routines.Andy, for instance, displayed no symptoms except faltering with the pace of school life once he reached second grade, where he was the only child his age in Haine Elementary School's gifted program."He's very intelligent and pretty much an easygoing young man, but when he was in school he had too many challenges with keeping up with the routine," she said.Although the school system seemed ill-equipped to accommodate Andy's needs in elementary school, a teacher in middle school had knowledge of autism and Asperger's, so for a short time Andy progressed.But Limbacher said by ninth grade, Andy's progress stopped."He wasn't having his needs met, and therefore he wasn't successful. His grades were suffering; he was being bullied."As a result, Andy transferred to the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School in Midland, where he is now a senior. He has been accepted to the computer-aided drafting program at Pittsburgh Technical Institute.In the meantime, Andy also is participating in a new group at the center geared toward males 16 and older."We had the first meeting a couple weeks ago, and it was very successful," Limbacher said. "It's been a very safe and nurturing environment."Although many aspects of Parents in Toto focus on autism, Limbacher said her goals include providing information, education and social opportunities for others in the community."In toto is Latin for in total, or all together," she explained. "And truly, my background and my passion is for autism — but this center is for every family."
<B>CRANBERRY CARES</B><B>WHAT:</B> A support group for families dealing with high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome<B>WHEN: </B>9:30 a.m. to noon the second Friday of each month September through May<B>WHERE: </B>Regional Learning Alliance, 850 Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township<B>INFORMATION: </B>Call 724-473-0990.<B>PARENTS IN TOTO</B><B>WHAT: </B>A resource center specializing in issues relating to Asperger's syndrome and autism<B>WHEN: </B>10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Fridays<B>WHERE: </B>143 S. Main St., Zelienople<B>INFORMATION: </B>Call 724-473-0990 or send an e-mail to info@parentsintoto.com.
