by Nikki Silva
East Providence Parraprofessionals

Some parents may never give themselves time for their own well-being. The care of the child can be time consuming with behavior, doctors, school meetings, disciplinary calls, school, work, and therapy. Those are only a few of the responsibilities a caretaker may have on a daily basis. This immense load often leads to problems with maintaining employment. Poverty and lack of education go hand in hand and lock disabled people and their caretakers into a chronic cycle. Exclusion from education, support services, and employment means limited social contacts, poor health, and low self-esteem. As a result, income-generating opportunities become further reduced, leading to chronic poverty, further exclusion, and higher risks of illness, injury, and impairment.

I believe access to resources such as the Autism Project provides to help children outside of the school day and in the community is crucial to the child and their families. This is important to me because I have witnessed this in various ways. As a paraprofessional in public schools, an aunt, a stepmother and as a direct support professional I have seen the gains of an individual and their families by having access to the programs the Autism Project provides. School is just six hours daily and only from three years of age until twenty-one years of age for those with special needs.The is not a lot of time. The funds raised by this event help them provide:

• A safe, supported, and fun camp experience for children, teens, and young adults with ASD and related social-emotional or communication challenges.
• Guidance for parents, caregivers, and family members supporting individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities.
• Social Skills Groups to help strengthen the social interaction and communication skills of children, teens, and young adults with ASD, emotional regulation challenges, or related communication disorders.
• Trainings and workshops for parents and professionals to encourage development and create safe, supportive learning environments.
• Webinars to allow trainings to be accessible any time, any place.
• Guidance and support for those just receiving a diagnosis.

by Keila Carvalho
South Kingstown ESP

We have been participating in the Imagine Walk since 2015. We walk to support the Autism Project and the many programs and support that they offer for families like ours, my son was diagnosed ASD around 2014. We walk to honor him and the students I work with on as the TA in the specialized programs’ K-1st classroom.

We want show our support and acceptance of the neurodivergent community.

What is the Imagine Walk? April 30th Goddard State Park

Many Rhode Island families have individuals with special needs. Whether intellectual, physical or mental health related disability, it affects the family dynamic. Some parents may never give themselves time for their own well-being. The care of the child can be overwhelming with behavior, doctors, school meetings, disciplinary calls, schoolwork and therapy. Those are only a few of the responsibilities. This immense load often leads to problems with maintaining employment. I believe access to resources to help children outside of the school day and in the community are crucial to the child and their families. It takes a village, and The Autism Project helps in so many meaningful ways.

The Imagine Walk is The Autism Project's largest fundraiser! The funds raised by this event help them provide:

• A safe, supported, and fun camp experience for children, teens, and young adults with ASD and related social-emotional or communication challenges.
• Guidance for parents, caregivers, and family members supporting individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities.
• Social Skills Groups to help strengthen the social interaction and communication skills of children, teens, and young adults with ASD, emotional regulation challenges, or related communication disorders.
• Trainings and workshops for parents and professionals to encourage development and create safe, supportive learning environments.
• Webinars to allow trainings to be accessible any time, any place.
• Guidance and support for those just receiving a diagnosis.

Want to help?

• Support by making a donation. The process is fast, easy, and secure... and you can be sure that it will benefit a great cause! (To credit one of the above mentioned teams, search the Walk Donation page for Nicole Silva and/or Keila Carvalho)
• Come join the team and help raise vital funds!