My heart goes out to all the families dealing with special needs children (“Autism services are extensive, but questioned,” Aug. 14, 2008). As the mother of a 6-year-old with special needs I know how much patience, energy, and resources these children require.
In reality, there is no end to the amount of services that one could receive. However, in the real world, services are directly related to funding, staffing, and voters.
Tri-Counties Regional Center has consistently provided excellent care for my family for more than five years. Our current service coordinator, Claire Chapman, is professional, knowledgeable, accessible, and takes a genuine interest in our needs.
Also, our experiences with the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education and the Lucia Mar School District continue to be positive. Kindergarten teacher Patti Bailey and her staff consistently provide for children who scream, throw things, spit, hit, strip, or are immobile or uncommunicative. And they do so with grace. Sandi Rutstein, an occupational therapist contracted with TCRC, is a first-rate therapist.
I applaud the people who have helped us improve the life of our daughter.
This article appears in Aug 28 – Sep 4, 2008.