By By CHRISTINA HALE ,Staff Writer
A Williamston mother of four children says getting her 3-year-old autistic son the services and help he needs is a full-time job, and she recognizes the need for a parental support group in her county.
Donna Pittman and her husband, Allen, of Washington, have also wanted to start a support group for parents with autistic children. Their son, Jacob, 6, was diagnosed with autism when he was 27 months old.
The best support comes from other parents who are in the same situation, said the Pittmans in an interview last month.
The two mothers have joined forces to start a Beaufort County-Martin County chapter of the Autism Society. The first meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. June 5 at the Church of the Advent on West Church Street in Williamston.
The meetings will alternate between counties each month, and anyone, not just parents, is welcome, Wall said.
The June 5 meeting will be “a meet and greet to get to know who the people are and what they’re circumstances are,” Wall said.
The chapter will offer more than just parental interaction. Wall wants to bring in guest speakers to help parents where they most need it.
For more information, call Patricia Wall at (252) 661-4590 or send an e-mail to trishswall@yahoo.com.