Shepherd of the Valley Builds Community Through Autism Support Group

in Apple Valley is building a community of learning and support across the metro area through a series of educational entitled ADHD, Autism & Other Disabilities on the Spectrum.

“We are providing the community with a lot of information,” said Connie Simonson, who sits on the group’s organizing task force.

The goal of the programming is educate both caretakers of children with ADHD or autism and adults who are diagnosed with ADHD or autism themselves. The group hopes to assist the community in raising well adjusted, high-functioning children.

“At one time I was a struggling parent and I had nobody to help me,” said Brenda Brookman, a member of the group’s task force.

Simonson, too, struggled with raising a child diagnosed with ADHD, so much so that she suggested Shepherd of the Valley establish a support group 14 years ago. The group, which does not have a strong Lutheran emphasis, is part of Shepherd of the Valley’s adult ministry programming.

Initially, the sessions were intended to be a trial program, but when 80 people attended one of the first meetings, it became immediately clear that there was a high demand for an ADHD and autism support group.

Today, the group holds one session per month. Sessions typically include a guest speaker. Past speakers have ranged from holistic professionals to social workers. Programming emphasizes the importance of considering alternatives to prescription medication for one’s child or oneself.

Now, the treatment of ADHD and autism has become an issue of note at the state Capitol as well as in the meeting room of Shepherd of the Valley.

District 57A representative Tara Mack sits on the Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force, an organization comprised of politicians, activists, medical professionals and parents. The goal of the task force is better facilitate resources for children with ADHD and autism in schools and clinics, in order to help children better manage their symptoms.

Mack said the issue of properly treating ADHD and autism had been brought to her attention by school representatives from District 196 and parents alike.

“It’s becoming a very, very big issue,” Mack said. “The impact on individual families is very significant.”

However, thanks to programs like the support sessions offered by Shepherd of the Valley, those individual families need not face the challenges of ADHD and autism alone.