Autism parents launch support group

In January 2008, Debbie Weidinger and her friend Cinder McDonald were having a conversation about their teenagers, both of whom have an autism spectrum disorder.

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At the time, the children were in high school, and both moms were worried about what would happen to the teens after they graduated. Would they be able to find jobs? Would they someday learn to drive? Would they ever get married?

Weidinger and McDonald, both south Tempe residents, figured if they were having these questions about their kids, chances were that other parents of children with autistic disorders were, too.

So they decided to start a monthly support group for parents and their children to attend. They named the group Arizona Autism Spectrum Support, Information and Strategies for Transition, or AZ ASSIST.

At the meetings, Weidinger said adults have a chance to share stories and ask questions; speakers are invited to talk about topics that affect families with autistic children—and the kids have a chance to hang out and socialize with others who are just like them and who face some of the same day-to-day challenges.

At first, Weidinger and McDonald took turns holding the get-togethers at their homes, with only 15 to 25 people attending.

But then the word got out, and the group quickly expanded. Fast forward three years, with Weidinger now reporting that about 200 people are part of the group. She said every month people come from not only the east Valley but from as far west as Surprise and Tolleson and from as far south as Casa Grande.

“We have grown out of three places,” she said. “We have just signed a lease on a new building in Tempe.”

Weidinger said the reaction to AZ ASSIST has been overwhelmingly positive, both from parents and their children, who range in age from about 15-25.

“People are desperate,” she said. “People come to me and say, ‘I had no idea that there were others like us.’ While they are not happy that others have to face the same issues, they are pleased to know that they are not the only ones sharing the same experiences.”

As the parents gather for the meetings, Weidinger said the teens and young adults will head into a separate area to socialize and play games.

“A lot of these kids don’t have any friends when they first start coming, but when we meet they can just hang out, and they can exchange phone numbers and invite their new friends to a ball game or a movie,” she said. “I have seen mothers weeping when they see their kids enter the social group and make friends.”

About twice a quarter, Weidinger said that the group, which now has non-profit status, will do an outside activity with the teens and young adults that usually involves a social event or volunteering.

In April, which was National Autism Awareness Month, the group went to Mesa Arts Center to see a concert. Weidinger said she is grateful to the center as well as the Kids with Autism Can group, which helped provide free tickets.

Weidinger said she and McDonald are thrilled with the way AZ ASSIST has grown over the years. She loves the positive feedback from other parents, and she sees for herself the way the group has impacted her own son Michael, now 22.

“I have seen the transformation and changes in him,” she said. “He used to sit at home after school with nothing to do or anyone to call or be with. Now I have about 20 to 25 guys constantly coming in and out of the house.”

For more information, visit www.azassist.com

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