“Changing Times”, host Lynn Morris welcomes guest Gretchen Peters, an educator and author, to discuss the personal and professional challenges of navigating autism within families, education, and faith communities.
Gretchen’s Personal Journey
- The Diagnosis: Gretchen shares that her son, now 8 years old, was diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and anxiety disorder around age five.
- Early Signs: She noticed early delays in walking and speech, as well as high levels of separation anxiety and difficulty in social settings.
- A “Superpower” Lens: Despite the challenges, Gretchen highlights her son’s brilliance in specific areas, noting his “extreme” knowledge of history and geography.
Challenges for Families
- Finding Services: Gretchen describes a “frustrating” journey trying to get a diagnosis and finding appropriate services, noting that even with a medical diagnosis, schools often require their own lengthy evaluations.
- Isolation and Stress: The “autism family” often deals with the inability to leave children with babysitters or take breaks, leading to significant emotional and financial stress.
- Lack of Support: Many families feel they are “constantly looking for the answer” because the current medical and educational systems often lack comprehensive tools to help children thrive.
The Intersection of Faith and Autism
- Welcoming Communities: Gretchen shares the importance of finding a church that understands neurodiversity. Her family found success at a church with a special needs teacher and smaller class sizes, which helped her son feel safe to learn about God.
- Spiritual Strength: She emphasizes that knowing her son was “created in God’s image” provides the vital support needed to navigate the daily stresses of the condition.
Resources and Next Steps
- Educational Advocacy: Gretchen provides advice for parents on collaborating with teachers and administrators to ensure children receive necessary support.
- Contact Information: For families seeking guidance, Gretchen shared her email at Wisdom Academy: gpeters@wisdomsgf.org.
- The Book: Gretchen is also the author of “The Artichoke Cart,” a children’s book focused on building family values and traditions.
