Special Needs Childcare-Autism

[Brownsugar1970]

Thank you very much. You were very helpful. I am coming to visit in August so I will check out Floyd county. Do you know anything about Jeffersonville Indiana?

[pocketpcuser05]

Originally Posted by Brownsugar1970

Thank you very much. You were very helpful. I am coming to visit in August so I will check out Floyd county. Do you know anything about Jeffersonville Indiana?

Hello Brownsugar1970,

I just wanted to see how you were and if your visit to Kentucky was helpful in your decisions. I wanted to share with you that Little Flock Baptist Church on Preston Highway has a Special Needs ministry and provides every month a weekend where childcare is provided for children with Special Needs. This allows the family to go out for an evening, get some errands done or anything else that may prove to be quite overwhelming with Special Needs families. We are located in Shepherdsville, KY and have programs for youth of all ages. We also are in the process of trying to understand (By reaching out) what are the needs of the communities and areas around us so that we may be better equiped to provide services. This is not a members-only club. We accept first-time guests, members or even visiting families that are not yet settled-in to take advantage of this Ministry's services. There are no costs but we do ask that you contact us/register with us 10 days prior to the first weekend of each month (10 days before that weekend). RESPITE and Game Night are both activities to outreach to the community and take place on the first Friday and Saturday of each month. Please feel free to ask for any additional answers that you may have.

[Brownsugar1970]

Thank you for the info. I actually didnt get a chance to come and visit because i had to have eye surgery. Everything is just so up in the air at this time because i am just so scared to relocate with my son and not have family there to help me.

[llgator]

We have a family member who is a teacher in the elementary-age autism classroom in one of the Oldham County schools---Goshen maybe? She is a specialist with extensive training in autism spectrum disorders. I'm in another area of Kentucky so I can't tell you much more than that but I believe it is a well-respected program and as part of the public school system it would be a good alternative to a private school. Oldham County is just outside of Louisville. At WKU in Bowling Green there is a unit in their Clinical Education program called the Kelly Autism Center which provides services to older children and young adults with autism while training the next generation of teachers for individuals with autism. You might try googling both for more information to see if either would be suitable for your situation.

[pocketpcuser05]

Originally Posted by Brownsugar1970

Thank you for the info. I actually didnt get a chance to come and visit because i had to have eye surgery. Everything is just so up in the air at this time because i am just so scared to relocate with my son and not have family there to help me.

Hi Brownsugar1970,
Thanks for your reply. Indeed, it can be very scary going into a new area without any friends or family to support you. Maybe I can share my story on how I got here and see if it helps you any...
I am originally from Annapolis, Maryland, a small but beautiful city. I am in my early twenties and moved here almost three years ago. I also reside in Shepherdsville. The Shepherdsville area is one of the greatest places I have lived before. I moved around a lot in Maryland, and loved Annapolis; but, I would not go back and there are several reasons why. First, coming from Annapolis I was used to a busy lifestyle and little to no social interaction with other neighbors or nearby neighborhoods. The only time that you saw the police and other emergency personnel was when you called them. You could see them on highways, but you very rarely had them outgoing and friendly. They were very busy people, much like everyone else that lived in Annapolis. This lifestyle was very much how I was used to, and I actually began to like it considering that I knew very little of anything different.
Not only was it like this with emergency personnel, but also where you shopped and went to get gas - they were very quick and short in responses. So, I came here with that mentality. I came here almost completely sure that it was going to be horrible here not knowing anyone. However, through Little Flock and the neighborhoods I was not alone for much longer than a few weeks of moving here.
Now, I am talking about a single gentleman, not a family or someone raising a Special Needs child. However, I hope that me sharing my journey may give you some insight into the type of environment that my town is. You know everyone, you wave to everyone, you talk to a lot of people through-out the week and you have great fellowship. I was a tough cookie to people at first because you really are taken to a whole new level of shock and awe when you are treated so warmly by others and the support that my friends show is a blessing to say the least. I encourage you to look into it. And as far as the Special Needs areas are concerned, Little Flock Special Needs Ministry is also partnering with a Nutritionist that can give insight into health and diet to improve the quality of life for children that live with Special Needs. One thing that I am excited to share about our Special Needs Ministry is a huge difference to me - we care about not only the children of God that are effected by Special Needs, but also the families that help support or are influenced by Special Needs children. If you would like to know more information, or get in contact with someone about this ministry you may reach us at:
specialneedsministry@LittleFlock.com

[Brownsugar1970]

Thanks for all of the helpful info. I really appreciate everyone giving me some insight to my situation. I just hope that i can stop being so scared and worried and at least come to visit and see how i like things.