BAKERSFIELD, CA - "Hear our tune, listen to our story" is the name of a new campaign the Valley Achievement Center is launching. It gives parents of Autistic students a chance to let educators know the challenges they face at home and how important their jobs are.
It is a new part of annual teacher training at the Valley Achievement Center.
While it raises awareness about Autism and its effects, it gives parents like Denise Santillan the chance to open up about struggles they face daily.
"And, they diagnosed him and they said he has Autism and my heart broke," said Santillan to the group of parents, teachers, and students.
"We want them to know that the impact is huge for all of us and we all have a unique and separate story that needs to be heard. And, maybe for them when they are teaching our kids, it will be in the back of their minds that, hey, I'm making a huge difference," said Santillan.
The gathering is meant to help staff understand the needs of Autistic families and for parents to show appreciation for caring to ask.
"I just thank the program because I think that if the program wasn't here I think a lot of us parents wouldn't know what to do with our kids," said one mother to the crowd.
"It's definitely validating that what we do here has a purpose and ultimately has an impact," said Miriam Richards, site facilitator for Valley Achievement Center.
The CDC reports Autism rates have spiked from one in 150 children in 2002 to one in 68 in 2010. The local non-profit center has seen enrollment increase as well, now offering ten programs for developmentally disabled children and adults.
"These families that we serve are, they are not any less and shouldn't be taken any less in regard than anyone else," said Richards.
"Now I think he feels like he's one of the others and he has a place, and I think he has something to look forward to," said Santillan.
The Valley Achievement Center's new school year begins next week.
For more information on the Valley Achievement Center, visit http://www.autism-vac.org/
