D.C. woman helps parents of children with autism
Being a parent can be difficult. And being a parent of a child with special needs can be even more challenging.
One D.C. mother is devoting her time to give other parents a much-needed break.
Mother Yetta Myrick understands the needs of parents who have children with autism. Her own son, Aiden, who is now ten, was diagnosed when he was three years old.
Myrick was determined to get answers about autism and help for her son.
“It was important to me not only to reach out for myself but to create programs to help not only my son but to help other people,” Myrick said.
So, she connected with other autism groups, eventually creating D.C. Autism Buddies{}program.
For two Saturdays, each month, volunteers meet with their buddies at Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy charter school in northeast.
While parents get the chance to rest, the kids play, learn and grow.
“I think the buddy program has brought the most out of him. We do our best as parents. In schools we try, but when you have programs, it’s the best results we’re going to see,” said Miguel Rosario, a father of a child in the program.
Volunteers agree.
“You can see the difference that it makes and just how much fun they're having while doing it,” said Dianna Buckeet, a volunteer.
Myrick does this all for other people while rarely getting a break for herself. But, she says it’s worth it.
“I feel fullwhen someone comes to me and says their child is getting something out of this. That is huge to me,” she said.
“I hope this is just a stepping stone to something greater,” Myrick said.
