Support for Parents of Autistic Children

A new group offers a safe place for sharing, understanding and learning.

Joe and Win Quier recently helped their son, Jeremiah, move into a dorm room at Victory Bible College. While such an event is an expected milestone for many parents, there was a time when the Quiers were unsure such a goal was realistic. But, ever since Jeremiah was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at an early age, the Quiers have learned to live one day at a time. They have founded the Broken Arrow Autism Support Group for Parents to bring together families and share experiences and resources unique to those who live with autism.
    Over time, the Quiers have worked with a chorus of health and education ­professionals, as well as friends, family and church, to help give Jeremiah the best opportunities. He is currently pursuing his degree in ­ministry. “Jeremiah wants to minister to others who face similar challenges,” says Win.
    Now that he has settled comfortably at college, the Quiers are officially embracing the empty nest phase of their life. Discovering they had newfound time on their hands, Win and Joe decided they wanted to somehow give back. They have been active in the autism community for some time, speaking at ­meetings and conferences, and writing a book about raising a child with autism. But they wanted to reach out more directly, to support ­other parents facing the same challenges they have faced for nearly two decades.
    They started the Broken Arrow Autism Support Group for Parents with the mission to establish a safe place for parents to share experiences with others who have been in their shoes.
    The Quiers are not only opening their hearts, they are opening up their notebook, too. A recent meeting focused on organizational tools and medication change forms. Organization is key to effectiveness when it comes to maintaining ­communication with ­education and medical staff. “It is handy to have everything in one spot,” she says. “We can be more ­proactive than reactive when ­prepared.”
    Win sets out a three-ring binder with a picture of Jeremiah on the cover. The picture is inserted in the sleeve upside down so that the person sitting across from her will see the picture right side up. Win explains the subtle position of the picture reminds the person across from her that her son “is a person, not a statistic.” She flips through a three-ring binder with sections for important medical records, individualized education plans for school, notes related to meetings and more. The section labeled “Medications” includes a blank template set up to track medications and side effects, and to jot down notes related to changes.
    Win acknowledges that her organization methods empowered her in meetings and helped her advocate for her son at crucial times. “Teachers seemed to take me more seriously when I had everything handy,” says Win. Few things are as frustrating as hitting a bureaucratic wall because a specific piece of paper is sitting in a file at home. Such tips gleaned from experience can prove helpful to parents of children with autism. The Quiers plan to share many books from their personal library as well. They bring stacks of ­literature and notebooks to each meeting to share with ­attendees.
    Whether parents just need a moment of respite with an understanding ear, or support and resources to meet the unique challenges of raising a child with autism, the Quiers welcome all to join them at the Broken Arrow Autism Support Group for Parents. The group meets the third Tuesday of every month at South Broken Arrow Public Library, located at 3600 S. Chestnut (101st and Aspen). For more information, visit them online at www.meetup.com/Broken-Arrow-Autism-Support-Group-for-Parents. 

For more information, contact

Broken Arrow Autism Support Group for Parents

(918) 232-2158

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