April 2023 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

ASPIES YOU’RE NOT ALONE

WRITTEN BY MELISSA KLATT

ASPIES: Enhancing the lives of children and adults with Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, PDD/NOS and other spectrum disorders. You know how you have that go-to person you always ask for advice because they’ve been there and done that? When it comes to information, education, and support for autism spectrum disorders, that contact is ASPIES! ASPIES currently serves seven counties Summit, Stark, Tuscarawas, Portage, Wayne, Medina, and Cuyahoga. matter your location, ASPIES uses its connections to find you the resources you need. They don’t turn anyone away, regardless of where they’re calling from or if their loved ones are officially diagnosed on the spectrum or not.

ASPIES CONNECTIONS AND RESOURCES KNOW NO BOUNDS

ASPIES is a small non-profit with the biggest hearts to help those in need find support! At the front of their ship is Founder and Executive Director, Joy Spencer-DeZordo, a gal who knows a thing or two about juggling the craziness of life while helping the community. Having been a single mom while starting ASPIES in November 2005 as an informal support group helping parents understand the diagnosis and deal with school issues, she’s the inspiration we seek when we look for that shining beacon in the dark.

She’s grown the organization with the help of ASPIES volunteers to provide the following services:

• Monthly parent meetings in Akron and Bolivar

• Adult meetings in Akron

• Monthly Zoom meetings

• Numerous social activities throughout the year

• Email and phone assistance for resources you need

Her heart shines like gold as she handles calls and emails. “I had the opportunity to help a local grandfather find resources in Puerto Rico for his son’s family. That same week, a mother reached out to me as she was in Cleveland receiving medical care. Her adult daughter had been recently diagnosed on the spectrum, and they could find nothing in Puerto Rico to support her. Again, I was able to meet with her and provide her with a number of resources. Then, came the call from a father in Lebanon (the country, not the city in Ohio) whose family was coming to Ohio for the summer. He reached out to me seeking resources they could use while they were here.”

THERE’S NOTHING SMALL ABOUT THIS NON-PROFIT ASPIES runs entirely through its network of volunteers get you the help you need, whether it’s something they can do themselves or not. If ASPIES doesn’t have the capability, they will find you the contact you need! Brittney Ecenbarger heads up the newest Stark/Tuscarawas branch of ASPIES (added in September 2021) bringing with her a wealth of information, experience, and dedication to supporting families.

They don’t claim to be experts, but they are experienced! Check out some of these love notes from families they’ve helped:

“Thank you so much for the information. I understand how things move much slower than planned, but please know that you do an amazing job. You have such an amazing reputation throughout the community and from personal experience, you are a huge asset to us parents, especially the newly diagnosed family.” - Mindy A.

“I want to thank you again for everything and all the emails that you sent me. I am slowly going through them. There is a lot and I don’t want to miss anything so I am reading every single one of them and going to all of the links. I have to say it, but I think you have helped me more than anybody else. You have no idea how much you have helped us! THANK YOU!!” - Faith S.

“Thank you sO much for sharing this!! You have NO idea how much I needed to read this today! As the tears are streaming down my face, there are no more comforting words for me to hear this morning. I thank you for the very boost I needed!!” -Katie F.