Autism support group to meet

The first meeting of the Nash County chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina will be held at 6 p.m. tonight at Englewood United Methodist Church.

Retired educator Barbara Batts is spear-heading the effort to start the new chapter in Nash County. Batts said she has a family member who is on the autism spectrum and is familiar with the challenges families face.

“Parents and grandparents need eeeeeeesupport and education about autism so they can help their children and young adults succeed in life,” Batts said.

An interest meeting was held earlier and the need for a chapter of the Austism Society became apparent, Batts said. It was also apparent that parents needed time to talk together without interruption. To that end, the meeting will provide child care for those who come as long as they call in advance so that enough qualified workers are present.

“We will also have refreshments for parents, grandparents and caregivers,” Batts said. “All this will be offered without charge. Parents talking with parents is the key to support. We are hoping to provide that support and resources that will support families and schools as they work with these children.”

Batts said Englewood United Methodist Church is very supportive of this effort. Future monthly meetings of the Nash County Autism Society usually will be held at the church at 6 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month.

Batts said the meetings are not just for families of children on the autism spectrum. They are also designed for people who suspect their children may have autism spectrum disorder or who are simply interested in learning more about the disorder, which affects as many as 1 in 59 children in North Carolina, according to the Autism Society of North Carolina.

For more information about the meetings in Nash County, call Batts at 450-5000. For more information about the Autism Society of North Carolina, go to https://?www.autismsociety-nc.org/.