Image courtesy of The LEAP Clinic
The LEAP Clinic will offer a parental support group Aug. 12.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 36 children in the U.S. at 8 years of age, has been identified as being on the autism spectrum. With so many suffering, the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cases seem to only rise in those impacted each year.
This neurological and developmental disability can display in many ways, but often impacts a person with significant challenges in terms of socialization, communication, or behavioral actions.
For those in Lower Gwynedd Township, and its surrounding communities, the “Beyond the Spectrum” support group is there to lend a helping hand as parents navigate this difficult struggle. The Lighthouse Evaluation and Psychotherapy (LEAP) Clinic, located at 716 N. Bethlehem Pike, Suite 203, Lower Gwynedd, aims to assist those in need of aid. And, it isn’t just a focus on the child.
“The LEAP Clinic is a private practice that specializes in working with children and adolescents to address anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, or social challenges,” explained Dr. Danielle Epler, PsyD, a clinical psychologist. “As someone who has completed over a thousand neurodevelopmental evaluations, I saw parents of newly diagnosed kids struggle with feeling isolated and overwhelmed by the systems they had to navigate to get their children support.”
Even parents that have juggled the condition for years still need additional help, different tools, and access to programs that aging children may introduce.
“As their children aged, I know many parents have struggled with knowing what services are available and how to support their teens and young adults, as the recommendations they got at their initial evaluation are no longer applicable for their kids,” said Epler. “I created Beyond the Spectrum: Empowering Parents of Neurodivergent Children to provide a space for parents to talk about some of the difficulties they have been experiencing with their kids, share successes they have had, and share resources with other parents who are experiencing some similar issues that they may have faced in the past.”
Epler explained that, depending on the age of the autistic child, the needs will change, grow, and evolve through time. Having an on-going, fluid group that can continue to support parents at any stage of the process creates an environment that grows with its participants.
“The program is a monthly support group for parents of children with autism,” Epler said of the newly formed organization. A meeting is slated for Aug. 12, and more seats are open for interested parents to attend.
“The group is free of charge and parents can get involved by signing up at my website (www.theleapclinic.com),” said Epler. “Parents do not have to commit to meeting every month, but I would love to see the group become a community for parents who can attend regularly.”
The doctor said that the in-person meetings will also coincide with online resources that can continue to offer a space for support and understanding, even between the gatherings.
“My dream for the group is to create a space for parents to come meet in-person once a month but also have an online, private Facebook group where parents who are involved in the group can continue to support each other as they navigate being a parent,” said Epler. “There will be at least one therapist present at each of the meetings to help facilitate conversations and provide resources/information that might be helpful for parents.”
Epler said that there is no set “agenda” for meetings, but instead the information discussed and shared will be up to those in attendance.
“When parents sign up to attend, they are able to note areas of concern or barriers that their family is facing,” she said. “This will be used to collect materials/resources if needed or prepare for a more structured conversation around important topics.”
Though the group is just getting started with such gatherings, Epler is optimistic it will be a helpful tool for parents of autistic children of all ages.
“We are still very much at the beginning stages of getting this group growing,” said Epler
For more information on the “Beyond the Spectrum” support group, call 215-918-8145 or visit www.theleapclinic.com. The next meeting of the Beyond the Spectrum group will be “Empowering Parents of Neurodivergent Children” on Aug. 12 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Interested parents can register online here.
