Three local women create unique autism support group for moms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — It’s a friendship that formed over an autism diagnosis. Three moms noticed there were not many resources for families in the area, so they took it upon themselves to change that.

Tucked away at the Chatham library, Lanie, Laurie, and Christina get together once a month.

"There is nothing here for moms and resources and adaptive sports or anything,” says Laurie Clayton. “So, the conversation started."

Each one of these mothers is a parent to an autistic child.

"He started to lose all of his languages that he had and his behavior started to change,” Laurie says. “So more repetitive behaviors, spinning, jumping, walking perimeters,"

And while an autism diagnosis provided some answers, moms like Christina Murphy noticed a lack of inclusion.

“Autism awareness is one thing,” says Christina. “But it's you are aware that maybe they have differences. But the acceptance to include them every day and in everything is totally different."

That’s why these three created the group “Parent Autism Life Support”, also known as PALS. In just six months, the monthly group has grown to more than 30 moms.

“We share ideas, we share pictures of our kids,” says Lanie Kepler. “Sometimes we share frustrations about what our kids are doing each day."

As the children play, the moms can talk, giving support to each other in this ever-changing season of life.

“It's been immeasurable how much of an impact it has had on my life,” says Lanie. “I know other women in the group feel the same way, just to not feel alone in something that oftentimes feels very lonely."

The PALS group is the non-profit “The Kase Project”. For more information on the monthly moms group, click here.

Originally published by WICS

https://newschannel20.com/news/local/three-local-women-create-unique-autism-support-group-for-moms