The purpose of our group will be to provide Christian support through prayer and encouragement, share ideas and resources, and enjoy like-minded fellowship with other families.
This blog is a place where ideas and resources on raising and educating our children can be shared through links as well as a library swap where we can post the resources we have and are willing to share with other families.
It is our desire to meet for monthly playgroups, likely on Sunday afternoons at different parks in Tampa to accommodate each other. We have also chosen Sundays because we desire for this group to include the entire family, not just moms and their kids as some groups are in the habit of doing. Once a quarter we would like to include a covered dish at one of our park days as well. It is also our desire to have speakers at each of our meetings relating to varying topics of interest for families of autism spectrum disorders. A sibling support group is also an option for children who are faced daily with the challenges and blessings of having a sibling on the spectrum.
God willing, other friendships and support relationships will be formed at our park days that will result in other groups branching off from ours...family get-togethers, Bible study groups, playdates, etc...
Though Christian Autism Families Fellowship is a group for those who believe they are saved only by the grace of God in Jesus Christ and what He alone did for us on the cross, we do not wish to debate theology, argue over the causes of autism, or judge one another on their personal choices in regards to medication, diet, therapies, discipline, etc...
If you feel this group is just what you've been praying for, please comment below and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. In the future, there will be a Yahoo groups forum to join, as well as a website for this group.
Our plan, and prayerfully God's as well, is to have enough of an interest in this group for us to meet for the first time in July. The exact date and location will be announced. Until then, God bless you and your families and we look forward to meeting, supporting, and encouraging one another in our walks with the Lord and with you on this journey He has chosen for our families.
Blessings,
Tara & Lucette
