Online support group aids special needs parents
Membership grows for Special Needs Parents Support in the Ohio Valley Facebook page
STEUBENVILLE -- Parents of special needs children have an online connection for resources and other supports thanks to the efforts of a local woman.
Mindy Aleksiejczyk, a Steubenville resident and mother of a 6-year-old autistic child, created the Special Needs Parents Support in the Ohio Valley Facebook page about four years ago, but its membership has since grown to more than 90 people.
Aleksiejczyk developed the private group page to help others find access to resources and interact with someone who understands their situation. She has been a member of the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities since 2020 and is actively involved with the School of Bright Promise where her son, T.J., is a student. Most recently, she participated with the school's parent council in a "Special Summer Bash" held in Richmond in July.
She said she saw the need for a social media connection, and word has been spreading about it ever since.
"I created it back in 2018, and it just started gaining members," Aleksiejczyk explained. "I called it Special Needs Parents Support in the Ohio Valley because we have so many counties close to us. As we started getting parents at the School of Bright Promise, the page started becoming very special to me," she said.
"We have 91 members who are parents, caregivers and people who provide support, including therapists and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, and they provide resources and share information. It's a private Facebook group, but somebody might need a resource or some direction or have an event. I had hoped people would join, and now it has grown."
Since its formation, the page has garnered participants well beyond the Valley to Cleveland and other parts of Ohio. It has helped unite special needs families for summer pool parties and other events to interact while further ideas are to invite each other to their childs' birthday parties so everyone has a chance to congregate in a fun environment.
"The idea would be that your presence is required, but no presents are required. Our kids can get out to parties, and we can support each other."
The support page is open to parents of children with a variety of disabilities, from autism and seizure disorders to youth requiring wheelchairs, and the goal is to provide everyone with a support system so their lives know no bounds, according to Aleksiejczyk.
"I think there may be people in this area who don't have transportation or don't know if this support group exists," she said. "If we gathered in one place, we can direct them to resources for help. I think it's important that we have this group," she added. "The life of a parent of children with special needs can get lonely, and that's why I created this page. I want parents to know there are people out there who understand them. I want people to say, 'I have support,' and we get together to share inspiration and let people know they are not alone."
Those interested may request to join the private group at Special Needs Parents Support in the Ohio Valley on Facebook or contact Aleksiejczyk at (740) 457-9941 for information.