FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Mom seeks to establish a comfort zone for autistic children

By FRED SWEGLES / STAFF WRITER

Published: Jan. 17, 2014 Updated: Jan. 18, 2014 9:24 a.m.

 

THE NEED

• A government report states that autism affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys.

• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

• The Ganz study reports that school districts' resources often are limited. What parents believe is an appropriate education often doesn't match up with what schools provide.

• Many of the treatments for autism straddle a line between medical and educational, giving room for insurance companies and school systems to each claim that it's not their responsibility, leaving parents to foot the bill or go without treatment.

• This is a lifetime disability. 

San Clemente mom Linda Hogan-Estrada is out to open a new kind of business in 2014 – a toy store, consignment store and thrift shop, all geared to provide free therapy and socialization to children with autism in an environment she calls the fun zone.

Her idea is to fund the therapy with proceeds from the shops. Her son Miles, 13, was diagnosed with autism 11 years ago. She foresees Miles4Autism as a place in San Clemente where people can volunteer, shop, donate items or drop off consignment pieces – all to support autism therapy and socialization.

We asked about her quest.

Q. Why start this?

A. We have spent too many hours in therapy to count, and 99 percent of those hours were paid by cash. Some therapies are not always covered by insurance. I paid out because I saw a huge future for my child. It wasn't going to happen by itself or overnight. Many parents are unable to pay for the appropriate amount of therapy. They have to choose between household bills over therapies. The children are the ones who suffer. The more therapy and socialization a child gets, the better the results in their diagnosis.

Q. How has Miles fared?

A. He is very high-functioning today and peers enjoy his company at school. The services these children require and the help these families need should not be a luxury. It should be a given. One should not feel alienated or give up hope just because their child has a diagnosis of autism. It just is an unexpected journey to discover your child's potential, but with Miles4Autism it will be priceless.

Q. Why this approach?

A. I went to a hospital for a social group through my insurance and was saddened to find out none of these children had friends at school. I have spent a lot of time and money on giving my child social opportunities, such as birthday parties with peers from school. Today he has acceptance and friends at school. I decided to do something about this: Why not find a way to pay the salaries of the therapist and offer no-cost therapy along with a place for them to exercise their newfound social skills? That is where the fun zone comes in. Most children on the autism spectrum go to therapy, home, therapy and home again, never having the opportunity to generalize their skill in a safe place.

Q. How will it work?

A. These children on the spectrum have a very high antenna for true and honest kindness. They really thrive and blossom around positive energy of others and retreat and isolate themselves when around negative souls. When you see a child have a meltdown, don't send them negative energy – send them positive, loving energy. At Miles4Autism, there will be an unlimited fun-safe experience to explore and enjoy a social lifestyle, which is very rare for these children. We will have a volunteer peer program where children of all ages can learn to work with and befriend children on the spectrum. Once they complete the course, they are given a certificate of completion, which they can use for their job/college apps. Win-win.

Q. Who will you serve?

A. First and foremost, the San Clemente autism community where we have raised my son since he was 3, and within about a 30-mile radius. My long-range goal is to see these pop up all over the globe. Neurotypical children will benefit from before- and after-school fun as well, helping them avoid in becoming latchkey children for a small donation. Miles4Autism will alleviate the emotional and financial burden from parents while boosting the local economy.

To learn more about the Estrada family's endeavor or to help make it a reality, visit miles4autism.org.

Selma's Chicago Pizzeria in San Clemente hosts quarterly fundraisers. The next one is April 9.

Source: Miles4Autism

 

Contact the writer: 949-492-5127 or fswegles@ocregister.com