- May 3, 2024
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Kathleen and Scott Davis had a full house Sept. 20 when they hosted an autism support group.
The parents Kathleen Davis invited to her home Sept. 20, made an attempt to pre-apologize for their autistic children’s predictably unpredictable behavior.
But for every “she might write on your walls” or “he might tear up your paper” Davis smiled, waved their worries away with her hand and said “Excuse me, have you met Joseph?”
Joseph Davis, her 5 year old autistic son, is in their living room, loudly complaining about trying to print a photo of a red house with blue shutters — his current obsession according to his father, Scott Davis. Though it might be overwhelming to some, to the Davis family this kind of chaos feels like just like home.
“Things are written on our walls and there is paper from the printer everywhere,” Kathleen Davis smiled while talking to the other moms. “But who cares. Life goes on.”
This kind of positivity towards her son’s condition is exactly what drove Kathleen Davis into starting an autism support group in her home. A month ago, she was struggling to get support to create the kind of happy and casual environment she wanted. But now it’s happened and it’s filling up her kitchen.
Five parents attended the Davis’ group Saturday morning to discuss siblings of autistic children with Meade McHenry, a board-certified behavior analyst and senior consultant for autism therapy program Butterfly Effects.
“There can be a lot of stress for both kids,” McHenry said. “Sometimes the kid with the diagnosis is exhibiting certain behaviors and your other child starts engaging in those same behaviors. And when the other child starts asking what’s wrong with their brother or sister, that can be the hardest thing.”
The discussion ran for a little over an hour, with parents trading tips and stories with each other on things that have worked for their child. Plenty of loud laughter made the gathering feel more like a get-together of happy friends rather than a gloomy support group.
But no matter how much their children may act out or cause them stress, not one parent said they would change a thing.
“No matter what level he’s at, we love him,” Scott Davis said. “I wouldn’t change a thing. He’s perfect.”
Anyone interested in joining the support group can email Kathleen Davis as [email protected].
